Fountain's outlook is healthy

Fast-tracking a smoke ban is just part of new regime at the West Midlands pub run by Richard and Jacqueline Macey. JOHN HARRINGTON reports

Richard and Jacqueline Macey reacted swiftly to the Government's plan to ban smoking at pubs that serve food. Last month, they announced their intention to go completely smoke-free at the Fountain Inn from March 2005. But, as rumours of the Government's intentions surfaced, the Maceys shifted the date forward by two months.

Following the White Paper on public health last week, many pubs are faced with the difficult choice of whether to serve food and lose the income from smokers, or go down the smoking/drinking route. For Richard, the decision was easy.

"We had someone walk out the other day because of the smokers," he says. "We've never had somebody walk out because they couldn't smoke.

"Everybody is veering on the side of non-smoking. All the staff support [the ban], even the ones who smoke."

Richard says they are printing leaflets at the moment to detail the changes. And in a bid to pacify any smokers who may have booked a table in the first two months of next year, he says: "All people who have booked from January will be phoned. If there's a problem they will get a chance to book at other places."

But he adds: "The only problem we have is that the smoking shelter won't be ready until March. We will just have to provide other cover for smokers until then." As further proof that the Fountain Inn in Clent is ahead of the game, wheat-free and low calorie options are now being included, where possible, on the food menus. Chiefly this involves using wheat-free versions of key ingredients such as pasta and bread.

"Once you get past the fact that you can't use flour or wheat it's quite simple," says Richard. "Sales are doing well, especially at lunch times. It's an areas that is becoming more and more prevalent."

Wine sales are also looking healthy, following a cheese and wine evening that Richard says helped raise awareness of the Fountain Inn's range.

Despite these innovations, Richard bemoans the fact that this week has been "the worse start to a week in four years". When asked why, he says: "I haven't got a clue. We just haven't had the sales. That made the alarm bells ring." Still, things are looking good for the festive season, particularly from business parties, who make up around 60% of bookings in the run-up to Christmas.

"Bookings [for Christmas] are looking great," Richard enthuses. "They can't be up on last year because we were full. It looks like its going to be full during December ­ we've only got 100 seats left to fill."

The Maceys can expect to be busy but not, interestingly, on the big day itself. They decided last year that the pub would be shut on Christmas Day 2004. "My wife won't open on Christmas Day this year. She said that we work too hard and should have this one off. It's nice for the staff as well."

The licensees' dedication to their staff can be seen from their willingness to put their hands in their wallets for them. Early next year, the generous hosts are set to fit a rowing and running machine, as well as a television and video, in a building outside. Richard says it will cost a "bloody fortune", but the price will be well worth it.

"I don't think we can do enough for our staff," he says. "Fit staff are better staff."

Self-interest does play a part though. "I've got to 20 stone, so I could do with using it myself," he admits.