Smoke ban clearing pubs of punters
SCOTLAND'S smoking ban has sparked a massive stay-away by pub regulars, according to the trade watchdog.
A survey of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association's members revealed that 46 per cent of licensees reported a drop in visits by regular customers, while only five per cent reported an increase in regulars since the ban came into effect in March.
More than half, 51 per cent, reported that their regulars were spending less and only seven per cent more.
These losses have not been counterbalanced by new business from non-smokers - just 20 per cent reported more new customers or more frequent visits against 17 per cent reporting fewer.
Paul Waterson, chief executive of the SLTA and owner of the Flagship Hotel group said: "Our members have done an excellent job enforcing the ban and many are now paying for it with their livelihoods. These results bear out what we have been hearing - many operations have been hit and some are suffering significant downturns in business.
"Our members are very concerned because these results have come in the summer when it is usually comfortable smoking outside. We are anxious about what is going to happen in the next few months as the weather gets worse and people choose to smoke and drink more at home."
Landlocked pubs with no outdoor areas are suffering most as their customers stay at home or go to other places. In contrast, some outlets with good smoking facilities have done well, or at least held their own.
Mr Waterson added: "We were told that business would improve as a result of the ban, something we never believed. Now even our prediction of seven per cent loss of business has proved optimistic.
"Drink sales look to have dropped by over 10 per cent, and surprisingly even food sales are down three per cent."
