Reading votes for outdoor smoking charges
Councillors in Reading have voted unanimously to implement a costly permit scheme for pubs to let customers smoke outside.
Reading is looking to regulate smoking areas
However, in a move that will offer relief to licensees, the authority has said the “vast majority” of small pubs won’t be affected by the scheme.
Paying for staff to man a designated smoking area, plus a £220 annual fee, would be necessary under the controversial permit scheme.
A temporary barrier “of a quality and style” approved by the council must be used, and removed outside permitted hours. No food or drinks would be allowed in the area and the licensee would be responsible for clearing butts inside and “beyond” the space.
Consent for the area could be withdrawn at any time without compensation. Permits will last for one year before going back to the licensing department for renewal.
A spokeswoman for the council said the authority doesn’t know how many businesses will be affected.
However, in an email to a councillor on behalf of concerned licensee Bernie Whiten, Clare Bradley of the licensing department moved to allay fears about its scope.
Bradley said: “Consent would only be required where a pub wishes to physically corden off an area of the public highway. So the vast majority of small premises, I believe the type of pub you refer to, would be totally unaffected by this.
“People can still continue to smoke outside of small premises in the street, provided unreasonable disturbance is not created.”
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