Second smoke rebel sells up
A second of the trinity of smoke ban rebels has put his pub up for sale.
Hamish Howitt, owner of Delboy's Sports Bar which incorporates Happy Scot karaoke bar in Blackpool, has put the freehold on the market with GA-Select for £600,000.
This follows the decision by Tony Blows of the Dog Inn, Dog Inn in Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire to also sell up with same company.
Why didn't the big brewers and pubcos fight this ban? I have spent £40,000 on my campaign and I know I am facing bankruptcyHamish HowittDelboy's Sports Bar
Earlier this week, Howitt's premises licence review was put back a month to allow health and safety improvements to be made.
He faces a court appearance on 5 November for flouting the ban.
"I've worked my guts out here for 11 years but they are going to take me for every penny," Howitt told the morningadvertiser.co.uk.
"This is a working class pub and they want to smoke. You can't run karaoke when people have to go outside to smoke. I have also now lost some locals because they fear getting a £50 fine for smoking which they can't afford.
"Why didn't the big brewers and pubcos fight this ban? I have spent £40,000 on my campaign and I know I am facing bankruptcy.
"I don't think I will ever have a pub again - I can't see myself running an eating pub serving mineral water and orange juices."
Much like Blows, Howitt said he will see the court case through to the bitter end even if he has sold his pub by then.
News on the third smoke ban rebel, Nick Hogan of the Swan and Barristers in Bolton, will be posted here later today.
