Analysis from the British Beer and Pub Association claimed a ban would see an extra 800 venues go to the wall in the next five yearsBut punters landlords and politicians warned his clampdown would be a hammer blow to the hospitality industry.
The trade body says applying the 6.4 per cent closure rate suffered after the 2007 indoor ban to Sir Keir’s proposals would see 2,900 pubs shut within five years compared to the projected 2,100. “This ban would not only affect pubs and nightclubs, but hotels, cafes and restaurants that have all invested significantly in good faith in outdoor spaces and continue to face financial challenges.”The number shutting shop increased to 80 a month in the first quarter of 2024 — up 51 per cent on the year before.Chris Jowsey, boss of Admiral Taverns which runs more than 1,600 pubs, called it “ill-thought through”.
FAST food and alcohol could be next if the Government bans pub garden smoking, a top doctor has warned.