Hosts fear loss of fox hunt revenue

The Government's bid to ban fox-hunting will have a devastating effect on many rural food pubs, according to operators.

Tony Blair's campaign to outlaw the 300-year-old pursuit from February 2005 will deal a damaging blow to rural economies.

Simon Jackson, licensee at the Horse & Groom at Upper Oddington, Gloucestershire, said: "This is going to have a terrible effect on local business. The Heythrop Hunt is based in the area and I would say that 20% of all my customers are involved with the hunt in some way or another. They meet at the pub over food and drink, but that won't be the case in the future."

More than 500,000 people participate in 350 hunts across the UK with the industry valued at £14.9m a year, according to The Times.

The Government's decision to wipe out a valuable source of income for rural businesses has angered pub proprietors. Tim O'Gorman, licensee at the Valiant Trooper in Aldbury, Hertfordshire, said: "I have 40 members of the local hunt outside the pub at this moment. They stop in for breakfast some port and whisky before setting off and they'll be back for lunch later. What the Government is doing is bad news for village life."

Pubs should prepare for a loss of trade when the Hunting Bill becomes law in February 2005, said George Marsh, head chef at the Fox Inn at Corscombe: "The local hunt meet at the pub several times a year and we put on food and drink. A couple of our staff ride in the hunt.

"This will deliver a big blow for the pub and the village community."