LETTERs

Pub is no longer 'our house'

We are on our ninth pub, after having a 12-year break until two and a half years ago. Now we lease an inn (as in "Come inn out of the weather - relax, drink, smoke and be merry).

We have three sons and daughters-in-law and we all smoke. We are the only ones who work in this pub. In 1984 we took over our first pub - as now, we worked on the understanding that we could ask anybody to leave, without explanation, as it is our house.

What's happened to "our house"? Well, it's no longer our house, although we pay the bills and live here. We can't smoke in our own abode for the sake of people (non-smokers) who don't even use this pub anyway.

So where are all the non-smoking customers supposed to be? Basically, the ban has killed the pub atmosphere.

Mr & Mrs Westway

Blackhorse Inn,

Stratford St Mary, Essex

When is an adult not an adult?

I always read Phil Dixon's page (he's even better live).

The issue of age and alcohol Phil referred to (MA, 2 August 2007) looks like another example of Government pandering to views of those who are out of touch with reality.

In America, the age-limit for alcohol consumption (purchase) has been 21 for a very long time. Now, supermarkets are considering challenging anyone they think is underage.

Are they challenging adulthood? Isn't it a strange comparison that you could be in our Army at the age of 17? What is America's conscription age? I'm sure a reader will write and tell us.

The reality is that we all drink alcohol well below these age-limits because our parents introduce it to us (quite rightly) in a loving family environment.

Wouldn't it make sense for conscription into the armed forces to start at 21 years and alcohol purchase be allowed at the age of 17, with the proviso that this is strictly adhered to (and "test purchasing" would become a part of life).

As Dixon says, 17-year-old Army recruits don't consider themselves children.

David R Jones

David R Jones & Co

Financial Accountants

Wetherby, West Yorkshire

Labour should listen and learn

For how long have pub licensees been saying that supermarkets and late-night shops are the problem? The only place to control alcohol is in the pub, where kids can't get to it.

When 24-hour licences started, 500 out of the 750 issued in England went to supermarkets. That's the real problem: so if supermarkets and other shops are not allowed to

sell it, the problem will disappear.

It's time MPs started to listen to people on the front line who know what they're talking about. But this won't happen because the Labour Party would lose too much funding from the big supermarkets.

Get real, Labour - and listen to the people who put you into power. If you don't, they can soon get you out.

Tony Blows

The Dog Inn,

Herefordshire

Getting special ale facts right

I refer to your article (MA, 9 August 2007) entitled "Special brew at tied tavern".

In fact, we're producing a unique ale for Tandle Hill Tavern, near Middleton, Oldham, in support of its nomination for Pub of the Year by the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

This ale will only run until November - there are no plans to make it permanent.

The type of ale is still to be decided: licensee Michelle Fenton has requested a strong, hoppy type, which we're looking into.

As for our ale range, we are working towards an offer of five permanent and four seasonal cask ales (each available for three months of the year) and four special-occasion cask ales.

As far as the Tandle Hill Tavern is concerned, we haven't broken our own rules in producing a special ale for Michelle - it will just be available for a short time.

We're always very happy to support any of our pubs.

Emma Cartlidge

Trade marketing manager,

JW Lees, Greengate Brewery, Manchester