THE GUV'NOR Dennis Griffiths

The licensee of the Miners' Rest, Barnsley, urges pubcos

to stand up for the on trade

We now have a smoke-free environment in all our pubs. Two years ago I questioned the laid-back attitude of the pubcos to the ban. I was told it would make little difference and it may even be good for trade as it would encourage people back into pubs who had stayed away because of the effects of second-hand smoke on their health.

Personally I found this indifference puzzling until someone whispered in my thick ear "share prices" - then the penny dropped. But what about the share prices after the ban? It would not be a problem I was told.

Funny then that, a few months before the 1 July deadline, the major pubcos disposed of nearly 3,500 smoke-friendly outlets. Coincidence? I don't think so.

This is all water under the bridge, so why harp on about it? To make the point that the media and do-gooders are starting again - but this time with alcohol abuse.

The printed press and TV are hammering our trade almost daily, highlighting a minority (mostly teenage drinkers with nothing else to do with their time) indulging in this disgusting pastime.

Voices are already being raised, suggesting reducing licensing hours, producing posters and leaflets stating the safe recommended units allowance per week and labels on the actual bottles with unit information.

So my point to the pubcos is don't make the same mistake you did with the smoking ban. Stand your ground. Fight your corner. Lobby the Government about supermarkets selling alcohol at a loss, and press for a law that makes happy hours illegal. Above all, make the point that the vast majority of pubs have a sensible retail policy and care about the well-being, safety and comfort of their customers.

The British pub is the envy of the world and its future is in your hands, so fight to protect it - and your share prices. Don't say after the event - as was done with the smoking issue - we should have done more.