Smoking ban UK: Hereford pub landlords speak out

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced last month that the government would be considering a potential outdoor smoking ban, in a bid to reduce the burden on the NHS.

One of the main areas highlighted by the prime minister was the idea of banning smoking from pub beer gardens. These Hereford pub landlords and landlady have had their say on the measures that if imposed, could change the way their pubs are run.

Orange Tree landlord, Malc Fry has spoken to the Hereford Times about Keir Starmer's plans to ban smoking in some public spaces, arguing it will be “another nail in the coffin” for the hospitality sector. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Malcom Fry, landlord of the Orange Tree pub in King Street, believes that the governments proposal is a “draconian measure” with minimal benefit.

He worries that a potential ban will have a direct impact on pubs, and that ultimately more will close their doors if the measures were to come into place.

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Mr Fry said the government’s proposed ban would make things harder for pubs, in what is already a "really tough climate to make money”.

The King Street pub landlord worries it will affect peoples mental health. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

The Hereford pub landlord said he understood smoking is bad for you, but that the ban can't be the only solution to dealing with the problem.

He added that although the Orange Tree is a well-supported pub with a loyal following, but this wouldn’t be the case for all pubs.

Mr Fry worries that a potential ban on smoking within pub gardens could have a direct impact on the mental health crisis. With going to the pub now more expensive than ever, and less places to socialise, he worries that it may lead to increased mental health pressures.

The popular pubs landlady said she hasn't found one person that agrees with the idea. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Landlady of the popular Hereford pub The Barrels says she thinks that a smoking ban for pub gardens “will kill off many pubs”.

Pip Preece said that when the indoor smoking ban came into action in 2007, her pub got busier due to having a large outside area for people to smoke in.

The barrels in St Owen's Street has a large outdoor area. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

The Hereford landlady said that with business rates set to rise back up to 100 per cent next April, she questions why people would want to pay more to go to a pub they can’t smoke in, when supermarkets can sell alcohol for reduced prices, and they can then smoke in their own home.

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“Having spoken to many people about this, smokers and non-smokers I haven’t yet found one person who agrees with it,” she said.

Mr Williams believes a ban would kill off British pub culture. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Tom Williams, a local farmer, has been at the helm of Hogarths in Commercial Road since 2022,  and has spoken of his disgust against the government's proposed ban.

Mr Williams believes that introducing a smoking ban will possibly cause thousands of pubs to close and believes "it could and probably will kill off the British Traditional pub and British pub culture forever".

He added that a lot of his customers have suggested they would stop visiting if these restrictions were enforced.

Tom Williams has been at the helm of Hogarths since 2022. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

The landlord reflected on the 2006 indoor smoking ban which was introduced by Tony Blair's labour government. Mr Williams said he had no doubt that this law led to a decline in pub's revenue and that he believed this decline had partially contributed to the closure of thousands of pubs and clubs since then.

“The last thing this we need are thousands more pubs closing, and empty buildings in our beautiful countryside, towns and cities.

“Pubs are part of our British culture, and form a vital part of the local community,” he said.

Mr Loizou worries about how the government will police the situation. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Andy Loizou, landlord of the Lichfield Vaults in Church Street said that there’s “two sides to the story” when considering the smoking ban.

Mr Loizou said although he knew that the NHS is “completely broken” and a potential ban could probably save lives and reduce costs to the health care system, he worries that it affects people’s rights.

Although the Hereford landlord did say he wouldn’t have taken over the pub with smoking inside, as he believes the indoor smoking ban allowed for a cleaner and better inside environment, he worries about who the responsibility would fall onto to police the situation.

Mr Loizou said that he cannot see how the government would police the situation, and whether the onus would be on the police, the landlord, or bar staff to deal with the situation.

He added that “if it comes to fruition we’ll have to live with it”, but it’s a “hugely debatable point”.