Time called on the locals?

[Chillum]

So, two(ish) years down the line of the smoking ban in Scotland, and I think we're seeing the effects, now that the fog has cleared, so to speak.
The local pub, as we knew it, is in terminal decline.
Every time I go to the pub, it's empty...not your town center type place, full of tanked-up fuquits, but your local, village pub, once the hub of the community.
They're all the same..one or two people shuffling about, no banter, no atmosphere and more essentially, no profits.
It's taken a while, at the beginning it was ok, quite good in fact...a year or so ago, still fine...but now? Hundreds of years of our culture gone forever.
How sad.
I think that within 5 years, the local will be more or less a thing of the past. They are quite simply unsustainable businesses.
Where have all those people who claimed not to go to pubs because they were "full of smoke" gone? why aren't they in the pub?

[squarebear]

We've actually got MORE people in ours than before the ban came in. They can come in and not end up with their clothes stinking of smoke. It's great.

The regulars who do smoke don't seem to mind going outside.

[Twenty20]

Our local is quite busy. It serves food and is child friendly and so you probably wouldnt want a smoke filled environment anyway. They actually banned smoking before the official ban came in. I dont think theyve had a downturn, its always busy.

[Chillum]

Just as a matter of interest, could people state which part of the British Isles they're from. Especially interested to hear from Ireland, where they've had the ban for even longer.
A year ago I didn't think there had been that big a downturn in business, but I'm really seeing it now.
I'm not a cigarette smoker by the way, but I do think people should be allowed the choice of a smoking or non-smoking pub.

[squarebear]

Yorkshire. I'm not a smoker but I never minded people who did. Mind you, it's great not having that smokey smell all over my clothes.

[chairobyx16]

The water sippers rule the country .No way back as the big brewers are only concerned with profit , any shortfall will just mean higher prices and the downward spiral continues.I at least will cling on till the last,braving the elements while the aqua-bashers sit smug at home discussing fizzy or flat.

[China Doll]

My local appears fine too. It's in Guildford, can't say we've noticed a difference. Also the locals near my mums in London, (Dulwich area) all seem fine too.

[anotheoldgit]

Our local is quite busy. It serves food and is child friendly

Yes but this is not a pub, it's an eating house full of kids.

Taking into consideration the latest trend against drinking alcohol, we may soon see the drinking of it banned in pubs, then what will be the next pleasure on the chopping block?

[vehelpfulguy]

I am sure when we banned Bear Baiting in this country the people whose job it was to bait the bear complained that they were losing their livelyhood.

But as a society we learn and move on.

Lets be honest smoking is a stupid habit and if martians came down from outer space and saw what we did with cigarettes they would think us mad.

[vehelpfulguy]

Some of you who are old enough will remember Bob Newhart doing his wonderful funny routine where Sir Walter Raleigh tries to explain what smoking is all about.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/195773

It makes you realise how silly smoking is.

[Le Chat]

vhg- Great link. My Dad loves Bob Newhart and it's a long time since I've heard that one!
I live in southport and my local is as busy as ever.

[froggequene]

In Ireland, some smokers abandoned their locals to drink at home but a lot of pubs & cafes made the effort to put in facilities for smokers. Most people appear to have complied with it, I'm sure there are exceptions out there but I haven't come across them.

[gelda]

I'm in Guildford China, whereabouts are you? I live in Stoke Road, we've got three pubs all visible from my flat and there seems to be more people standing outside than inside. I don't think the smoking ban has affected the amount of drinkers in any of the pubs.

[China Doll]

Other end of the wooden bridge to you m'dear, I'm representing the Park Barn Massive... Oh yes! Ahem... Although I have to say my 'local' is actually in the town centre.

I don't think it's made any difference, the only thing I will say is that the Boiler Room needs to get some damn heaters outside. It's actually nicer to sit outside at the Weyside and the White House anyway and always was. Mind you, it's easier for the younguns to hide in The Star now in all the various smoking haunts!

[Jenga]

I havn't noticed a difference in how busy they are where I live. The prices just went up again, I do know that.

[gelda]

I used to use the Boiler room China when it was the Elm Tree, lovely pub I used it for over 20 years, such a shame they have to change all these pubs, What's the Weavers like now I haven't been in there for some years now, it was a bit rough the last time I visited.

[China Doll]

A bit rought?! Anyone ever told you that you have a mastery of understatement gelda!

I actually went in there last year on a bank holiday as the varsity was closed and I couldn't be bothered to go in to town as was just meeting a friend for an hour. At half twelve I had to negotiate my way past a man so wrecked he was incoherant and incapable of understandng that he was blockng the entrance! Inside everyone was doing their best to live up to all the stereotypes of 'white trash' that there are. Mind you, I think they've gotten rid of the strippers so you know, that's an improvement... I think. God awful place!

Have you tried the Keystones? That's been my favourite for a long time and was actually what I was referring to by way of local.

[gelda]

Nothings changed at the Weavers then! unfortunately I'm disabled so can't walk to the pub, I could drive but then I couldn't drink so not much point, I'll have to stick to a glass of wine indoors. Where's the Keystones, I've lost touch now with all the town pubs.

[China Doll]

You carry on past the white house, straight accross the little road and then left and it's just along that road. I can't remember what the road is called. It's got a good atmosphere and has a nice age range.