BarTalk

Will you be prepared for the English smoking ban on 1 July 2007?

Paul Bowes

The Black Bull

Wylam Northumbria

No time is a good time as far as I am concerned - the ban is going to bring us major problems because we're street-facing with no real space for parasols or awnings. At least 50% of our regulars smoke so my main job is devising ways of attracting non- smokers after 1 July. Quite a few of our smokers are saying that they are going to try and give up, but I am not convinced.

Carol Cadwallader

The Spring Inn

Rochdale Lancashire

We've been gearing ourselves up for a mid-summer start date so the announcement hasn't come like a bolt from the blue. Our plans are well-advanced, so work on an outside smoking shelter should start about March. We have plenty of space so devising a scheme hasn't been too hard. It's a major change for the trade - nobody can afford to sit back and do nothing.

Fred Hook

The Guest House Southport Merseyside

We plan to put a roof over our rear courtyard - as that isn't a massive scheme, time is on our side. Everything should be ready for 1 July but I don't think many of our regular customers will be - the majority smoke and I don't think the reality of the ban has sunk in with them yet. They are closing their eyes and ears and seem to think it will never happen so perhaps I've some educating to do.

David Heyes

The Garsdale Inn Bury

Lancashire

We've always planned for mid-summer so we'll look at the best scheme for our beer garden as soon as the festive season finishes. Space is plentiful and I don't envisage problems even although we only have six months to prepare. My main concern is about our local pub darts and dominoes leagues which are mostly made up of smokers. I'm worried that some may not continue playing.