AIR's top 10 tips ahead of the smoking ban
Do's
ADD OR EXTEND SERVICES
Can you provide food? Even simple snacks could make a difference. Or could you offer new entertainment, quizzes, karaoke, or even 'smirting' (smoking and flirting) evenings in your outside area? Take a close look at your competition and make sure you are offering something different.
CONSIDER AND CONSULT WITH NEIGHBOURS
Tell them what's happening if you are encouraging smoking outside your pub, and talk about the possible issues. Avoid objections and maintain good feeling.
CONSIDER SMOKER BEHAVIOUR
How many of your customers will still want to smoke at the pub when the ban comes in? Have you asked them? How valuable are smokers to the business? Where else could they go to smoke after the ban? Why? Start educating them now.
THINK POSITIVE AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
The culture changes constantly and people WILL get used to smoking being banned in pubs. Remember society is changing and more families want to go to pubs, and more people want to eat in pubs. Stay upbeat and your customers will too.
THINK ABOUT THE PRACTICALITIES
If you can prove 'due diligence' on the issue, you should be able to avoid any trouble with the law, even if someone does take it upon themselves to light up in your bar.
Once the ban comes in make sure staff are fully trained on the issue and that you have the appropriate signage displayed. You should also keep an incident log of any smoking-related incidents.
Don'ts
WAIT TO APPLY
Getting planning permission for an outside shelter can take time - and so can the construction, particularly at a time when the awnings, canopies and shelter companies are likely to be busy.
REPEAT INVESTMENT
Make sure you don't end up paying twice over because you went for the cheapest option first time around. If you are putting up an outside shelter make sure it can withstand force-10 gales and the other extremes of climate change.
PUSH THE LIMITS OF THE NEW LAWS
Whatever you are doing outside, make sure it is in the 'spirit' of the law - and that wall space, including opening windows and doors, is no more than 50 per cent. If the space feels like it is enclosed, it may well be against the law.
BUILD SMOKING 'GHETTOS'
Don't think solely about accommodating smokers - think about extending your trading area, and attracting new customers with your new outside area. Could the area offer an opportunity for extra events, barbecues, even outdoor wi-fi?
DON'T SKIMP ON THE EXTRAS
Make sure the outside is warm, welcoming and comfortable, and can be used all year round.
