News Article Comments : Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

Hi Robert, thanks for the welcome. I have been following the ban stories on loads of sites - Freedom to Choose, Forces, The Publican to name but a few - all very informative.

Myself & my hubby are tentatively thinking about leasing a pub, hence the interest in anything detrimental to the trade. And this ban surely is. Maybe not to ALL establishments, but then the 'drinking barn' large chain type of bar is not the type of place we would wish to run.

The more I read about this ban the more angry I get. A large proprtion of smokers are the elderly - this is simply an observation of the regulars in my favourite pubs. What kind of society chucks war veterans outside? Most of the local old guys are fairly confused about the ins and outs of the ban. Their Saturday night out is the only human contact they have throughout the week, I doubt any amount of enticement that pubs put on make up for the fact they are not welcome to engage in a legal activity that they have enjoyed for 50 odd years indoors. Disgusting.

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RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

Pearl and Donal seem to be pretty much on the money......as I understand it, they are saying wake up and do something or we're all going to be 'shutting the gate after the horse has bolted'. Funnily enough, it also seems that Dave is saying something similar but from a differnt stand point. It is true that pubs are disappearing as a result of changes in demand, habits and in favour of bars etc, however, it is also true that legislation has altered this course of events. What we need is a full scale change in the way the whole industry is structured, we need to know what exactly consumers want (as opposed to what they are given) and we need to establish clear and reasonable expectations governing the sale of alcohol (licencees can no longer be the unpaid enforcer / regulator and yet be the whipping boys when things do not go as public opinion would like).>/

Lisa, I do hope that you are not detered from entering this excellent business, but watch out for the booby traps and take sound advice. >/

Robert, I think your last post fairly well summed up the requirements for a market to find its own level......I agree.

This post replies to Lisa Priestly > RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

Simon, a brave admission.....there will be those who will take pot shots at you now......but not I: called it as you see and feel it. I am in the fortunate position of having a garden and for the record, I am seeing new faces because I have the where with all to have shelter - clearly, these people have come from another pub: this is cold comfort. good luck.

This post replies to simon olley > RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

Hi Lisa,

I have read your post and would advise you to do as much homework as possible before commiting to running your pub,  having said that, I have been runnug my new pub for approx 2 months so went in 2 weeks prior to the ban.  I my opinion, and only my opinion, my trade has gone up in the last 4 weeks, dont get me wrong, this could be people checking out the new gaffer, but after speaking to the regulars, they have advised me that there are a lot more new faces coming into the pub since the ban and the opinion of my locals is that the pub has a lot better feeling of pleasantness since the ban, and thats coming from the smokers also,  they have all, bar none, quite happilly gone outside,  whether that be the same in the winter remains to be seen.  If you want my inexperienced opinion, I don't think its as bad as everybody is trying to make out,  I think you'll have a bigger problem with the SHARKS, sorry I meant the pubco's.

Before I came into the trade I took a lot of advise from Robert Feal Martinez, Ken Nason and Graham Allman,  they are all great guys and would not give you a bum steer,  I know they will do the same for you, they are very helpful.

If you want any advice, please give me a call on 07757002605, I know I can't advise you as good as the prior mentioned guys but I can give you advice on the feeling of uncertainty you may be experiencing at the moment.

Kind regards

Chris

This post replies to Lisa Priestly > RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror

sorry to say this chris, but most pubs takings do go up with new management, people who stayed away voluntarily will come and look. people who were barred will retry and family and friends will come and give support, but good luck anyway

This post replies to chris lea > RE: Pub takings 'down as much as 40%' says Mirror