Business is blooming in Yorkshire pubs

The smoking ban has inspired Yorkshire pubs to embrace the new era after Tadcaster Pub Company gave its pubs an incentive to spruce up their gardens.

The annual floral competition has taken on added importance this year, with licensees keen to encourage customers into their beer gardens. With more people taking advantage of outdoors spaces this summer, pubs with the best gardens have even reported an upturn in sales since the ban came into effect.

The company's estate of more than 60 pubs were challenged to improve their gardens with flower beds, tubs, hanging baskets and window boxes, to encourage more customers to use the beer gardens. All winners received certificates and bottles of champagne.

James Crawfurd-Porter, managing director of Tadcaster Pub Company, said: "With the smoking ban coming in, licensees have made even more of an effort to make the outside area of their pubs attractive and inviting for customers.

"Even with the poor weather this summer, the majority of our licensees have reported sales holding up. It's no coincidence that the quality of the gardens in the competition is higher than ever, it demonstrates that an attractive, inviting environment definitely increases custom."

This year, Peter Lockwood and Cecelia Purse of the Turk's Head, Ripon took the top prize along with the best garden award. Their secluded garden makes use of unusual items such as old sinks and urinals to house a variety of colourful flower displays.

Peter believes the quality of the garden has helped boost business since the smoking ban. "We call it the secret garden because people don't tend to know we're here, but once they see the garden they come back. It's a great environment to sit out in, I'd definitely say sales are up since the smoking ban."