Pub landlords reveal plans for smoking ban

However, smokers could get pretty cold if they want a fag come the middle of next winter - with more than half of landlords and landladies surveyed by The Press saying they will NOT be providing any outdoor heaters.

John Saggers, manager of the Windmill pub, in Dunnington, York, said: "I have not pampered them, if it is raining they will get wet, and there are no heaters, as they are expensive to run. I have provided an area, but that is it."

The Press surveyed the landlords and landladies of 50 pubs across York and North Yorkshire about their preparations for July 1, when smokers will risk paying a fixed penalty notice of £50 if they light up in an enclosed public space.

It quickly emerged that a hotch-potch of arrangements are in place for the ban, ranging from the installation of jumbrellas, marquees, tents, brollies, shelters and heaters at some pubs, to some which are providing no facilities.

Those with existing beer gardens are at an advantage in being able to provide a specific smoking area.

More than 90 per cent of pubs said they would be providing outdoor facilities for smoking customers.

Grant Horwitz, manager of the Rose And Crown pub, in Lawrence Street, York, said an area at the back of the building would be "nice and funky, with heating and seating".

Just under a half of licensees said they would install heaters.

Their comments came as Nick Bush, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, hit out at confusion about the ban.

He said: "We are perplexed that the Government has announced the start date without confirming what the licensed trade must do to comply."

Meanwhile, City of York Council has revealed that since 2006, 13 planning permission applications to construct smoking shelters have been submitted.

A council spokeswoman said three had been declined, seven had been approved and three were still pending, with no certainty they would be resolved in time for the July 1 deadline.

The majority of pubs in the area seem to be taking the new regulations in their stride.

But Wendy Hide, manager of the Ainsty pub, in Boroughbridge Road, York, said: "I'm not impressed about the way the whole thing has been handled.

"They say there's no panic, but I think they should be panicking."

My job is on the line because of the smoking ban'

THE head steward of a York working men's club has told of his worries about the smoking ban.

Paul Healy, 53, head steward at Poppleton Road Working Men's Club, said such premises, with very limited outdoor space to cater for smokers, might well suffer from very heavy financial losses.

"Customers don't know whether to stop drinking or to stop smoking," he said.

In Scotland, where smoking was banned in enclosed public spaces in March 2006, pub takings reportedly fell by ten per cent across the industry.

Mr Healy said: "I'm Scottish and have relatives living in Ireland and Scotland, where the smoking ban has already been enforced. They feel the Government have wrapped them up in cotton wool, telling them everything will be all right."

Asked if he was fearful for his club's takings and his job, he said: "Yes, of course I'm fearful. My job is on the line because of the smoking ban."

We asked 50 pub landlords and landladies in the York area if they were planning to provide an area for smokers after July 1 in preparation for the smoking ban...

Ye Olde Starre Inn, Stonegate, York
There are three beer gardens, one with a jumbrella, and two of these will be designated smoking areas.

Yates, Ousegate, York
Has large licensed beer garden to rear and due to invest £20,000-£30,000 to make it more appealing to customers, including new seating, canopies and heaters, with work due to begin around the time of the ban. “We are aware many of our customers are smokers and we aim to make the area as comfortable as possible for them,” said deputy manager James Tillotson.

The Winning Post, Bishopthorpe Road, York
Beer garden at back of pub with umbrellas, but still undecided about exact location of designated smoking area and waiting to find out what can be constructed at front of pub.

The Windmill, Dunnington, York
Went completely no smoking on March 1. Beer garden at rear with umbrellas and area at front where people can smoke. Manager John Saggers said: “I have not pampered them. If its raining, they will get wet, and there are no heaters, as they are expensive to run. I have provided an area, but that is it.”

Yearsley Grove Hotel, York
Already has large beer garden, so will be putting out umbrellas, and has bought large canopy to be put up for smokers.

The White Horse, Upper Poppleton, York
Preparing for ban for two years. New outside furniture for both front and back, beer garden renovated and canopies bought. Also have portable heaters and hope to invest in electronic ones.

Wellington Inn, Alma Terrace, York
Little beer garden at the back, covered with a canopy. Manager Dawn Huller said: “However, I think this could be a bit of a grey area as the toilets are beyond this and it could still be seen as a public area.”

The Tiger Inn, Haxby, York
Manager Ruth Southwell said: “We are owned by Samuel Smith. Up to now, we have not been informed of any areas that may be given to smokers. As far as I am aware, they have no intention of providing shelter or outside areas.”

The Volunteer Arms, Watson Street, York
An outside yard with picnic tables is already a smoking area and has a smoking bin. An awning will be put up and heaters put in place, hopefully a week before the ban comes in.

Varsity, Lendal, York
Smokers will be able to use beer garden at back of building, containing umbrellas, furniture and heaters, which is fully licensed.

Trafalgar Bay, Nunnery Lane, York
“We are doing absolutely nothing to accommodate smokers,” said manager Derek Ashdown. “We are part of the Samuel Smith brewery, so we are a managed house and, as far as I am aware, they have no plans to create areas for smoking.”

White Horse Hotel, Bootham, York
Will be putting awning in backyard. Waiting for planning permission from council and expect that to come through very soon. Lighting and heating will be provided but not furniture.

The Three Tuns, Coppergate, York
No area provided. If people want to smoke, they will have to go outside but cannot take drinks with them.

The Tap & Spile, Monkgate, York
Beer garden at front will remain no smoking, but area at back revamped and covered by a Gazebo-type structure to accommodate smokers. This separate area has heating, lighting and seating and is licensed.

The Swan, Bishopgate, York
Beer garden at back of the pub, and wooden shelter being put up. Heating may be provided.

The Spread Eagle, Walmgate, York
Grand opening of smoking area three weeks ago – a beer garden away from pub that has brick
outhouse for smokers, with heating.

The Snickleway Inn, Goodramgate, York
Small yard area which smokers can use, taking their drinks with them. No plans to put up a cover, but this
probably would not be possible anyway, as building is listed.

The Six Bells, Strensall, York
Beer garden can be used by smokers. A spokesman said: “We are a managed house through Samuel Smith, so we are not aware yet whether we will be improving the area with heaters and things.”

Ship Inn, Strensall, York
Will not be providing specific area for smokers until September, when a large canopy will be built with heaters.

The Royal Oak, Goodramgate, York
Small yard area at back with tables, where smokers can go and take drinks with them. Limited as to what can be provided as it is listed building.

Rose And Crown, Lawrence Street, York
An area provided at back of building. Manager Grant Horwitz said: “It will be nice and funky with heating and seating. It will also be completely covered.”

Ackhorne Inn, St Martin’s Lane, York
Outside area suitable for people to smoke in. A box provided for people to stub their cigarettes out, so they do not forget when they come back in pub.

Stone Roses Bar, King Street, York
Planning permission for canopy outside pub refused. Asked what they would do if raining, employee Nick Daniels said: “They’ll just have to pretty much get wet.” As a listed building, awaiting permission for ashtrays on front of building to prevent smokers dropping their butt ends on pavement.

Rumours, Micklegate, York
Has had a roof terrace and beer garden in place for almost a year, all heated and covered as well as fully licensed.

The Acomb, Kingsway, York
Decking garden being built with brollies for people to smoke under.

Ainsty, Boroughbridge Road, York
Manager Wendy Hyde said she had problems getting planning permission for changes from council, because of complaints from neighbours. Wanted to create area with properly tiled roof that council rejected. Tables and chairs outside where people can smoke, and are allowed to take their drinks with them until 10pm.

Bay Horse, Fulford, York
Outdoor, undercover smoking area already in place. By late September, outdoor patio heaters will be fitted.

Bay Horse Inn, Blossom Street, York
Manager Dave Headley said: “We’ve got a decent size beer garden, so we’ve done nothing because it is going to continue as it was before.”

Bay Horse, Micklegate, Selby
Back area to be renovated.

Bay Horse Inn, Barlby, Selby
Manager Keith Lodge said: “We’re waiting for planning permission from Selby District Council. We want to build some decking with gazebos at the rear of the pub.”

Bay Horse Inn, Murton, York
“We’re in the process of building a wooden canopy around the side of the pub,” said landlord Paul Gallagher.

Bay Horse Inn, Goldsborough, Harrogate
PREPARED for the ban for three or four years with outside area with pagoda.

The Beagle, Foxwood Lane, York
Lean-to fitted out at back of pub, and jumbo umbrellas with heaters and lights at front, extending existing beer garden.

Black Swan, Wistow, Selby
Outside sheltered area with gazebos and giant umbrellas at side of pub, with “something more permanent” planned for winter months.

Boot And Shoe Inn, Ellerton, Selby
Owner Andrea Young said: “We don’t have much room, so it will be something small at the front – something like an umbrella with some heaters.”

Britannia Inn, Acomb, York
Outdoor shelter to be provided in beer garden, with cigarette bins, heating and more lighting.

The Beeswing, Hull Road, York
Beer garden at the back where people can smoke.

Brown Cow, Hope Street, York
Manager Paul Brown said: “What we’re trying to do is to open up the backyard area, but it’s going to be difficult as it is not very big. Could seat between 20 and 30 people in covered area. It is important for us as 90 per cent of our customers smoke.”

Bumper Castle, Wigginton Road, York
Large beer garden at back, where people can smoke. Customers will also be encouraged to go round to front, where a jumbo umbrella will be fitted. Two cigarette bins also to be fitted at entrance.

Carlton Tavern, Acomb, York
Already has outside area at front, and new area at back to be provided with canopy.

Castle Howard Ox, The Groves, York
Mark Eccles, manager, said: “We’re going to have an outside area built, but we’re just waiting on planning permission. Hopefully, it will be built in time for July 1, but it might be a bit late. We’re going to have decking built, with a retractable canopy.”

Cross Keys, Tadcaster Road, York
MANAGER Antony Richardson said: “We’ve installed a television outside, and bought a giant umbrella.”

The Crown, High Street, Knaresborough
MANAGER Sam Bacon said: “We haven’t done anything yet, but we’re planning on having an outside decking area with heating. We’ve only got a small yard area to the side of the pub. We’ve got planning permission but we haven’t started building yet. We won’t be ready for July 1.”

Abbey Vaults, James Street, Selby
All-weather beer garden in place.

The Dick Turpin, Moorcroft Road, York
Patio outside, with new benches, parasols, heaters and lights bought.

The Dormouse, Shipton Road, York
Went non-smoking last July. Has beer garden at front for people to smoke.

Riverside Farm, Skelton, York
Having a refurbishment and will be providing an area outside front door for smokers, with several jumbrellas with heaters, where people can also drink, ready for July 1.

Fox Inn, Holgate Road, York
Proposals to build glass shelter with flagstones in beer garden at back, but encountered planning problems. Angie Cussons, manager, said: “The problem is that the pub is a Grade II listed building.”

Marcia Gray, Front Street, Acomb, York
Has been non-smoking since January. Has a big backyard space available, where smokers can light up.

Cross Keys, Goodramgate, York
HAVE made no preparations as of yet, but plans to construct a large gazebo outside once planning
permission is granted.

Compiled by Cara Houchen, Klara Patterson and Simon Marks