Wednesday, August 02 2006
FIFE, UK - LICENSEES in Fife are urging the Scottish Executive to scrap the smoking ban amid claims some premises are heading for financial ruin.
Publicans and club managers have reacted angrily to comments made by NHS Fife last week stating that the pub trade has not been affected by the ban.
A meeting was held at the CISWO club in Glenrothes last week where a steering committee was formed, and members decided to distribute a petition around various pubs, clubs and cafes in the Kingdom.
Jim Paul, President of the Fife United Clubs' Association, reacted angrily to an NHS Fife spokesman's comments that the clubs' concerns were "silly." He said: "The health board are talking verbal diarrhea. Obviously they have never been in a club to see what life is like as we are feeling the bite. The Association's annual gala-day trip to Camperdown Park in Dundee next year has had to be cancelled because we simply cannot raise enough funds for a bus to transport the youngsters."
Last Wednesday's meeting was attended by licensees from across the Kingdom, representing pubs, beweries, and bingo halls, as well as clubs. All groups said they have been losing thousands of pounds every month since the ban came into force in March.
David Nelson, secretary of the CISWO club in Glenrothes, is hoping to get over 20,000 people to sign the petition, which asks that the Executive allow a designated 'ventilated' area in each club or public bar as a compromise. He said, "I think there are going to be a lot of job losses if things don't improve. Clubs in the area are struggling and five or six are on the verge of closing down.
We are having to put punters out onto the street which is all fine and well in the summer. But can you honestly imagine us telling pensioners to go outside with their zimmers in the winter?" It is not just pubs and clubs that are struggling either, as the Fraser Bowl in Glenrothes has also seen a massive downturn in revenue as a direct result of the ban.
Tricia Marwick, SNP MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, attended the meeting and was given a difficult time by licensees after she voted in favor of the ban last year. She said, "I was extremely disappointed that of the seven MSPs that represent Glenrothes I was the only one who bothered to turn up. I explained to the licensees that I was supportive of the ban, but that I could also see the effect it could have on some businesses. It is my responsibility to make sure that the views of my constituents are passed on to the right people."
Source: Fife Today, as reported by Kevin Scott
Published: August 3, 2006
