Concern over smoking ban

As Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's licensing portfolio holder, I have some grave concerns about how the new laws on smoking in public places will affect the town.Pubs, and particularly clubs without legal external smoking areas, are likely to have serious problems controlling drinking and behaviour outside.

Their customers are entitled to smoke on pavements, but should not be doing so with their drinks. But we are told continually that to prevent drinks being tampered with, they should not be left unattended.

At some premises, the number of smokers outside is likely to be excessive for the width of the pavement, and would cause obstruction and possibly disturbance.

How they will be allowed back in after a smoke is also an issue.

Will they have to rejoin the queue or will there be a separate queue for those who go out for a cigarette? How will the doormen know the difference?

It is piling more costs on to licencees, and in some cases will be the result of them losing trade.

Many of our fine pubs and hostelries have no open space for conversion.

The nature of Shrewsbury's historical town centre is such that properties have been built over hundreds of years, literally wall to wall, and this is what gives it such great character.

Hopefully areas can be found to accommodate smokers legally - we don't want to end up with pubs closing down.

Rents paid to breweries are increasingly expensive for licencees, they have an uphill struggle to survive. We must support them.

I agree that pubs should have a smoke free section, but this legislation is an ill thought out move in an attempt to stop people smoking.

I'm sure someone, somewhere will come up with an amazing statistic to make it all look like a great success - spin I think it's called.

Cllr Judith Williams, Shrewsbury