Pinstripe: Smoking. Yes it's bad for you, but I love it
Smoking stuff in a bit.
First...farewell then Eldridge Pope. News of the £155m deal, which broke yesterday, reached me as I was attempting to drive into town on roads that would be better suited to the artistic twirling of Torville & Dean.
True, my M&A spies had earmarked a couple of other candidates for Marston's (see my last blog) but at least they were half right, pinning down the Wolves mob as being very much in the mood to acquire. Incidentally, EP apparently stands for 'Excellent Pubs, Excellent People', although surely that would be 'EPEP'.
At £155m it's a full price, but the City has warmed to the deal and there's an almost tangible sense of relief that Marston's - ably led by chief executive Ralph Findlay - has been able to execute a half-decent deal after quite a time away from the table.
EP's food-led businesses were quite high up in Findlay's mind, by all accounts, and the upcoming smoking ban will doubtless give this an extra nudge.
And speaking of the imminent demise of a man's right to smoke in the public space of his choice, I've heard of one pub operator which intends to celebrate the sad passing of this centuries-old custom by holding a special 'smoking event' in one or more of its establishments.
This is due to take place throughout the week leading up to the ban's implementation in July. Non-smokers are welcome, apparently, but frankly why would you lot bother?
It'll be a marvellous send-off and a bit of fun, I was assured, and following an invitation to said proceedings I've a packet of trusty Embassy Regal King Size all specially lined up.
A final thought on smoking, for now. With all these outdoor spaces being created for smoking pub-goers at considerable cost, can health-Nazis and non-smoking types be barred from such areas?
Legally, probably not. But after July 1 might I suggest to al fresco puffers that they ask those non-smokers standing or sitting outdoors to either light up or bugger off? That'll show 'em.
