Trade body criticises Gov't over smoke ban guidance

Trade body Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) has hit out at the Government for not getting its smoke ban guidance out yet.

BISL, which is holding its annual conference today, says Secretary of State Ruth Kelly has failed to respond to a letter it sent calling for action and discussions about the guidance.

It says it is concerned about pubs and other venues being able to get permission for and build smoking shelters in time for the ban.

Ruth Kelly has yet to reply and her officials are refusing to meet with the industry to discuss fast track planning guidance or to give any guidance to local authority planners to help industry have outside areas in place in time for the ban.​BISL chief executive, Brigid Simmonds OBE

BISL chief executive, Brigid Simmonds OBE, said: "There is a real need of help with implementation.​

"We still await the date of the ban even though it is expected to be summer 2007, which could be less than six months away.

"In Scotland businesses have suffered, particularly bingo which is 25% down, with seven clubs already having to close.

"BISL is hugely critical of Department for Communities and Local Government's attitude towards this issue.

"We wrote to Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State, on 9th October.

"She has yet to reply and her officials are refusing to meet with the industry to discuss fast track planning guidance or to give any guidance to local authority planners to help industry have outside areas in place in time for the ban.

"Six months is a very short time in terms of obtaining planning permission."

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