Pub pipe-smoking competition in doubt
A Northamptonshire licensee fears the smoking ban will put an end to 150-years of tradition at his pub.
Clive Rimmer of the Bull in Harpole stages a pipe-smoking contest at his pub every year - something he believes dates back to 1856.
But he fears this year will be the last one staged indoors as smoking in the pub will be against the law next year.
Rimmer told the Northampton Chronicle: "It's something we are going to have to look at. Holding it outside simply wouldn't be the same.
"It takes place on a Tuesday night in February and the beer garden is going to be a bit chilly to say the least.
"It's such a shame because the competition has so much heritage and it looks like it will be wiped out overnight simply because of a new piece of legislation from the Government.
"It will be interesting to see how pubs cope. I think we will be fine as we have a nice garden area, but other pubs might struggle.
"For a lot of people, going to the pub is about having a pint in one hand and a fag in the other. Fifty per cent is suddenly going to be outlawed."
Ben Pentland-Inwood, aged 23, who has been drinking at the pub for four years and now works there as the chef, said: "It adds so much to the atmosphere of a pub to have nights like this.
"There are so many stories to tell and it's nice in a way to see the tobacco-stained walls, and I say that as a non-smoker. It shows the pub has a history."
