What the punters say

Jane Radley, below left, and Virginia Bernard, right, work as administrators in Tower 42 and were enthusiastic about having a smoke-free pub nearby where they could spend their lunch hour. They normally go to restaurants to eat, but said they would now consider the Phoenix. Radley said: "I think it's a brilliant idea. I just hope they can do enough trade, particularly in the evenings, when it's normally packed in here. I just wish more pubs would do it, I hate going home stinking of smoke." Bernard said: "I would feel comfortable coming in here on my own. The fact it's non-smoking helps it have a much nicer atmosphere. A lot of smokers can be really inconsiderate and wave their cigarettes in your face." IT consultant and smoker Mark Hawkins only found out it was a non-smoking pub after sitting down and said he would not have otherwise entered the outlet. "It's going to take a long time to change peoples' perceptions because pubs are the traditional place to come to have a pint and a cigarette," he said. "If smoking is legal then we should have the right to do it where we want, and pubs are known as smoking places. I won't come here again, just because I like a cigarette after lunch." Steven Newson, left, Martin Gillibrand, centre, and Anna Harper, right, work as IT consultants in the City and all welcomed the capital getting its first non-smoking pub. "I used to come here when it was a Hog's Head and it's a much cleaner atmosphere now," said Newson. "I hate it when my suit smells after being in a pub. I think the evenings will tell if it's going to work, particularly Fridays when it's heaving. At the end of the day, people should have a choice between smoking and non-smoking pubs." Gillibrand similarly disliked going back to the office reeking of smoke. "I may come here more often for lunch now it's non-smoking," he said. "In the day it doesn't matter, but they may have some problems in the evenings." Harper added: "I often have a sandwich, but I'd consider coming here now. However, having a seat and a bit of room are more important factors in a pub than smoke for me.