The smoking ban came into force in England yesterday, meaning the end of smoking in ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ spaces. This will have a dramatic impact on the pub trade, with many pubs and bars opting to create outdoor garden areas where smokers can still light up.
A recent article from Sky News claimed that many pubs aren’t prepared for the ban, stating that: “Many pubs will not have outside shelters in place by the time England's smoking ban comes into force”. This means that many pubs and bars will now be rushing to create such areas before they feel the possible negative impact in lost revenue as a result of smokers deciding to stay at home.
One important consideration when creating outdoor areas is to provide ample entertainment – ensuring smokers can still enjoy the pub environment. The AQUiVO range of weather resistant LCD screens are proving popular with publicans who are opting for outdoor TV screens to entertain punters. These screens can be kept outside all year round and can withstand whatever the Great British weather throws at them, as well as coming with anti-theft wall mounts for added security.
The full impact of the ban remains to be seen, but publicans should now be preparing their outdoor entertainment areas to ensure they don’t loose out.




