Pub garden weeds out smoking ban woes

A licensee who has turned a former 'drug users' toilet' into a thriving urban oasis has boosted profits to 40 per cent above pre-smoking ban sales.

Tony Stevens, who runs The Walrus Social in Waterloo, London was fed up with seeing sales fall after the smoking ban so he leased disused land from Network Rail to create a garden.

Though it is 25 yards from his pub and involves a short stroll past a neighbouring office, the formerly "disgustingly dirty" space has help boost revenue and bring in new custom.

"The smoking ban had a huge effect on us," said Tony, whose staff spent six weeks cleaning and transforming the land. "Sales were down by a good 20 per cent, and our nearest rival has a patio so we lost a lot of customers.

"But the night we opened on July 11, which coincided with the Waterloo Carnival, we did our best days' takings in the three years I have been here. Since then we are taking double our normal Friday nights."

With outside space for up to 140 people, a stage, barbecue and waiter service from the pub, Tony says the fact that the garden is not directly outside does not bother his customers.

"It's definitely brought new people into the pub, and when the weather is as hot as it has been it's a no-brainer for people. They just love being outside," he said.

He estimates that the garden cost £2,500 for the materials, but says that even after staff costs and Network Rail's rent, it is worth every penny. In fact, Tony likes the space so much he plans to hold his wedding there in September.