Landlord stubs out early

With its real ale, historic photos and roaring fire, The Vine looks every inch the type of pub where a smoke and a drink would go hand in hand.

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But landlord Steve Coleman has taken the gamble to ban regulars lighting up well before an official smoking ban comes in on July 1. The Vine, in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, has been smoke-free since Mr Coleman took over in February.

He said the reaction to the move had been mixed but a lot of his regulars supported his decision.

"You get the occasional person who pulls a face with regards to not being able to smoke but they are few and far between," said Mr Coleman.

"I realise a pint and a cigarette was the norm but you have to move forward."

The 52-year-old has worked in pubs for a decade and predicted that those venues who had failed to prepare for the smoking ban would have problems.

"A lot of pubs who haven't done anything will struggle at the end of June when it's a non-smoking scenario," he added.

The landlord, who specialises in local ales and traditional pub games, said the biggest effect of banning cigarettes was on clothing.

"My clothes used to reek of smoke but not now," said Mr Coleman.

The Vine was built in 1938 and Mr Coleman has restored its interior in the original style since taking charge in February.

The pub has joined the likes of Greek restaurant Zorba's in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton Racecourse, the Three Crowns pub in Ettingshall Park, the Ely House Hotel on Tettenhall Road and The Mermaid at Wightwick in outlawing smoking.

The smoking ban covers restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, theatres, bingo halls, sports centres, shopping centres, taxis, public transport, schools and hospitals.

Anyone caught flouting the ban could be issued with a £50 fine.

By Stuart Pollitt