Scottish licensees see drop in trade

Nearly half of licensees in Scotland claim they have seen a drop in regular customers since the new no-smoking laws came into force.

In the first survey, conducted by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), since the new smoke-free regime came into force in March almost half of licensees (46 per cent) say they have seen a drop in visits by regular customers and over half (51 per cent) report their regulars are spending less.

These losses have not been counterbalanced by new business argues the survey of 365 premises. Just a fifth of premises reported new customers or more frequent visits.

The report says that while some pubs with strong outside facilities are doing well, 64 per cent of landlocked pubs i.e. those with no outside facilities, say their regulars are already spending less.

Only two in five licensees currently have an outside area where people can smoke, with more than a quarter saying they are unable to provide a dedicated outdoor space other than a pavement.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: "Our members have done an excellent job enforcing the ban and many are now paying for it with their livelihoods. These results bear out what we have been hearing - many operations have been hit and some are suffering significant downturns in business.

"Our members are very concerned because these results have come in the summer when it is usually comfortable smoking outside. We are anxious about what is going to happen in the next few months as the weather gets worse and people choose to smoke and drink more at home."

"Our prediction of a seven per cent loss of businesses has proved optimistic. Drink sales look to have dropped by over 10 per cent and surprisingly food sales are down three per cent.

"This ban will put some hardworking licensees out of business and many bar staff out of jobs."