Punch devises 'show-pubs' as model smoke-ban solutions

by Tony Halstead

Punch is to develop smoke-ban 'solutions' at three pubs in Scotland to help its lessees combat the effects of the smoking ban.

The 'show-pubs' aim to give licensees a range of ideas for the future direction of their businesses after next March's smoke- ban. The sites will feature three design formats: Landlocked Pubs; Smoking Gardens; and Outside Inns.

The first format, for pubs with no outside land, will concentrate on the best use of adjacent alleyways and roadside pavements as an area for smokers.

Lessees running these pubs will also receive advice on changing their trading format if they cannot provide any outside facilities for cigarette users.

Smoking Gardens will centre on the best use of beer gardens, patio gazebos and other covered areas to provide a refuge for the nicotine brigade.

Outside Inns will be aimed at pubs with large areas of land where a replica pub interior can be created.

These replica units will offer customers the same facilities as the main pub unit and come complete with amenities such as heating, furniture, television and a serving bar.

Punch hopes to launch the three models by mid-December to give licensees a full three months to devise their trading strategy before the full smoking ban arrives on 26 March.

The initiative follows detailed research by Punch including visits to Southern Ireland to study how pubs across the water had reacted to their own country's smoking ban. All Punch business retail managers have been give promotional packs and videos to show the 456 lessees north of the border the various options.

Customer services director Francis Patton said: 'We want to give our lessees a clear idea of what options are open to them according to the type of pub they operate.

'It's important they start making decisions and devising new plans as soon as possible bearing in mind the ban comes into effect at the end of March.'