CHARLES WELLS PUB COMPANY WELCOMES SMOKING BAN ANNOUNCEMENT
The Government announcement that the ban on smoking in enclosed public places will be effective from 1 July 2007 has been welcomed by the Charles Wells Pub Company as it gives the industry a better idea of the task ahead of it.
“There has been so much speculation and uncertainty” commented Anthony Wallis, Managing Director of Charles Wells Pub Company “and it has left retailers not knowing which way to turn. We now have a date to work to but would urge the Government to publish the guidelines applying to the smoking ban as quickly as possible so that everyone can put their final planning in place.”
Charles Wells Pub Company has already committed £1.25million into its estate to help its customers harness the potential of dealing with the ban in a positive way. “We have already surveyed all of our 250 pubs” continued Wallis “and installed almost 100 physical smoking solutions such as pagodas, jumbrellas, pergolas, lean-to’s and so on. We have had to give our project managers a fairly broad brief as they are working to the regulations implemented in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland and we’re optimistic that few changes will need to be made when the guidelines for England are published.”
The company has been working on its smoking solutions policy with its retailers since May 2006 and expects that the forward planning and support will ensure that its pubs remain competitive when the ban is introduced on 1st July. “The physical structures that enable smokers to enjoy their regular visit to their local are only one element of our planning” explained Wallis. “We are encouraging our retailers to consider whether they may need to reposition their offer and introduce food, entertainment, quizzes or something similar or if there’s scope to attract a new audience who’ve previously stayed away because of the smoky environment. We’ve suggested they include their regulars in the planning and find out what they want and they’ve been quick to understand they should never underestimate the thoughts and ideas of their consumers. It is for their benefit, after all, that we put such great emphasis on quality and service standards.”
All licensees in the Charles Wells Pub Company estate have received a copy of the company’s alfresco solutions booklet, outlining ways of turning the smoking ban into a business opportunity, and are reviewing their operating procedures accordingly. They have also been visited by their Business Development Manager and a Project Manager to agree a bespoke external solution and it’s expected that the majority of these plans will be in place by Easter.
www.charleswells.co.uk
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For Immediate Release: Friday 1st December 2006
For Further Information, please contact: Kate Hempsall
Customer Marketing Manager, Charles Wells Pub Company
Tel: + 44 (0)1234 272625
