Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Smokers in pub appeal
Smokers in Walsall say they are being left out in the cold at a local pub and will go elsewhere if the brewery does not bring their shelter up to scratch.
Drinkers at the Bell Inn, in Bloxwich, say they have been drenched on several occasions as more than 20 people huddle under 17ft shelters installed when the smoking ban came in earlier this year.
Malcolm Adams, a regular at the pub in Bell Lane for more than 15 years, said they had had enough of the “sub-standard” facilities.
But he said requests to Banks’s Brewery for an improved smoking shelter had fallen on deaf ears.
Mr Adams, of Lancaster Place, Bloxwich, said: “I have been using that pub for about 15 years because I like it and although the smoking ban came in we thought we would get a decent shelter.
“But although they have 17ft high shelters there is no protection on the sides and when it rains heavily, like it did a couple of weeks ago, the place was flooded.
“There are normally around 15-20 people outside at any one time because it is, or was, a popular smoking pub. The smokers go outside but so do their friends.
“There’s a bar across the road which has a really good shelter with lots of facilities so we know it can be done. All we want is to be dry though.
“I have called and written to the brewery but have had no response.”
Mr Adams has now put together a petition which has been signed by scores of customers in a matter of days.
“We just want them to do something because we have noticed customers have stopped coming in,” he added.
The smoking ban was introduced in England in July this year.
Most pubs have been forced to make alterations to their outside areas to give protection to smokers from the elements.
No one for Banks’s Brewery was available for comment today.
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But I don’t think people are getting the message. You have no proper shelter because we don;t want you to smoke at all, anytime, anywhere in public.
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Dave, I dont think you get the message. 25% of the population smoke.Our pub money is as good as yours. Now that we are not pollouting your air and are affecting no one but ourselves what gives you the right to tell us what we should and shouldent do?
Whats next telling fat people off for ordering a fry up in a greasy cafe? Madness.
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I watched a lady attempting to light a cigarette for 5 minutes yesterday near school gates,best laugh ever, it was raining.
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Stop smoking and you save the brewery money with stupid shelters, you save the hospitals money with your self inflicted diseases. Stop moaning and save oxygen.
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well said ex smoker, and crongratulations on quitting. Shame more people dont do it…..
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Karen, only 25% of people smoke, well thats a minority, therefore our pub money is better than yours!!! try giving up, I did years ago
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Why should the brewery pay for these shelters they will only put up their prices to cover the costs. Again it’s the minority who want their way, pubs are much better these days without all that smoke. If you want to kill yourselves thats fine but don’t force me to breath it in.
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As a non-smoker I sympathise with the smokers since the ban came into force. However, from previous reports in the E & S on rules and regulation regarding smoking shelters I understand that a shelter must be no more than 50% enclosed, therefore Banks’s have done their duty by providing some shelter in the forum of a ‘jumbrella’.
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