Stand up to threats against community pubs, says James Crawf
Driving home from work the other evening, too lazy to change stations when the irritating theme tune of the longest-running radio serial in the world came on, I settled back and got up-to-date with the goings-on in The Archers.
One scene took place in the village pub, a device for moving the plot along that script writers have used since long before Ena Sharples took her first sip of milk stout at the Rover's Return. The most unlikely pairing of characters and conversations can happen in the pub, because that's where everyone goes. The residents of Ambridge were gossiping over pints of Shires, while the darts match reached a nail-biting climax.
An everyday story of country folk. And, with minor adaptations, it's an everyday story of suburban and town folk. As managing director of a pub company whose estate includes a high percentage of community pubs, I know that similar scenes are played out night after night in the real world. But for how much longer?
I am troubled by the constant meddling of politicians and other organisations, which is eroding an individual's right to choose how to run their business and putting unnecessary hurdles in the way of the small business owner, particularly pub tenants and lessees, in the form of new pieces of legislation or grossly-increased costs. In recent months they've had to contend with not only radical changes to the Licensing Act but also asbestos monitoring, registration of door staff, compliance with the (Disability Discrimination Act and more, while trying to increase turnover in order to pay for hikes in business rates and PRS fees.
We're seeing a growing number of disgruntled tenants who, after investing hard-earned cash and long hours into building up a business that provided them with a comfortable living, and created employment for others, are considering throwing in the bar towel.
The introduction of yet another attack on the tenant the blanket ban on smoking in pubs that serve food will be the final straw for many. Self-regulation, with clear signage, good ventilation and designated no-smoking areas where there is a demand, has worked well since its introduction. We can see no logical reason to change this. Tadcaster Pub Co has pledged to fight on behalf of tenants to ensure that this, and other pieces of legislation that threaten the community boozer, do not come into being.
The proposed smoking ban is another example of the rampant nanny state we are moving towards, where intelligent adults will soon no longer have the option to weigh up the risks involved and make informed decisions about where they work or how they relax. The thinking will all have been done for them. "No smoking in pubs that sell food" will soon become "no smoking in pubs", and while we're at it, let's have a look at that evil alcohol. Fancy a lager and a cigarette? Sorry mate, you can only do that in the privacy of your own home.
And where will the soaps be then?
