Punch behind Government over bill move

Britain's second-largest pubco, Punch Taverns, is one surprising supporter of the Government's food-based ban.

Unlike most operators, Punch, which owns around 7,200 pubs in England and Wales, believes the plans in the bill are 'workable' and provide customers with choice.

'If self-regulation is no longer possible for the licensed trade industry then legislation from the Government that offers both licensees and pub customers some degree of choice is certainly the next best thing,' said customer services director Francis Patton.

'We are broadly supportive of the proposals as set out by the Government in its health white paper and we therefore welcome the return to the policies as set out in Labour's election manifesto.'

He added: 'Although we acknowledge that the proposed non-food/food split will present some landlords with difficult decisions, nonetheless we feel that the distinction is relatively straightforward and workable as well as preserving some degree of choice.'

Dave Daly, manager of Cahoots bar in Blackpool, also welcomed the move. 'For the town centre it is great news,' he said.

'A lot of 18 to 25-year-olds smoke and many high-street pubs do not have outside areas for them to go and smoke in. A total ban would have been a step too far as 80% to 90% of sales are from drink in the town centre. There would also have been a safety issue with groups of youngsters hanging around outside.'

However Daly, also president of the National Association of Licensed House Managers, said he was concerned about job losses as a result of a ban.