THE GUV'NOR

Anthony Mears

The smoking ban should be viewed as an opportunity to grow trade

What does 2007 hold for the trade? Definitely a challenge. Probably a fair amount of

controversy - and hopefully a great opportunity.

Experiences in Ireland and Scotland have shown us that short-term trade levels may fall - but we will also have the chance to showcase the quality and range of pubs to those who have avoided them because of their actual or

perceived smokiness.

There are a lot of people out there who last visited a pub 20 years ago and didn't like it, and don't know how good a lot of the trade has become. So this is a great chance for us to raise our profile and convert a few unbelievers.

Now is the time to take action to prepare for the ban.

Getting in early gives us the chance to grab as many new customers as possible, and to use yet more Government intervention and legislation as a real opportunity to build trade. It's going to take time to get planning advice, look at options and negotiate prices for equipment, so we cannot afford to sit around on our hands.

Start early by talking to your smokers. Check out the market and see what support your suppliers and landlord will give you.

Help is available from the British Institute of

Innkeeping, who will run Smoking Roadshows across the regions over the next two to three months, designed to help members prepare for the ban.

Good news is that smokers will have the same problem elsewhere as in our pubs and restaurants (except for prisoners and MPs - interesting pairing there), so whether you are defending your trade or looking to increase it, the first to be ready will likely do best.

There may be short-term pain, but if we plan it well we might get some longer-term gain.