A Dorset licensee has chosen to reduce his weekend opening hours because he felt the noise from smokers standing outside was unfair on his neighbours - even though its likely to hit his takings.
Nigel Jones, owner of the Railway Hotel in Blandford Forum took the difficult decision after visiting his neighbour's home in the early hours of Sunday morning to hear the noise for himself.
I was amazed how loud the buzz of conversation from our smoking area sounded through their double glazed windowsNigel Jones, owner of the Railway Hotel
Jones spent a lot on preparing the outside area for the ban - providing heat, light, televisions, rain protection and furniture for his smokers.
The new area proved so popular during the first few weeks of the ban it has caused a noise nuisance to neighbours.
Jones said: "At the request of a neighbour I visited their home in the early hours of a Sunday morning. I was amazed how loud the buzz of conversation from our smoking area sounded through their double glazed windows.
"As soon as I returned to the pub we switched the outside power off and stacked the outside furniture in an effort to encourage customers back inside the building. We then adopted the power and furniture removal process as standard practice late at night in an effort to reduce the number of people, and hence the noise, outside the premises.
"The new practice has worked to a degree, but we now find we are spending much of our time overnight asking people to be quiet outside and sending people who aren't smoking back inside. This has proved frustrating for myself and my staff and annoying to customers. Consequently we held a staff meeting on Tuesday 31st July to discuss the issue and find a way forward."
The pub has now cut its weekend hours - a move which Jones expects will hit him in the pocket.
He said: "It will cause initial confusion and the likelihood is an initial loss of trade and reduction in staff hours, but I believe that by concentrating on it's many strengths and unique attributes this independent free house can become busier during core hours in the new smoke-free era."