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Licensee Robert Wigham's
solution to the impending smoking ban is rather like a classic
sports car owner attaching an ultra-modern Formula One spoiler
onto their Vehicle's rear. His addition of a state-of-the-art
"patiola" to a country freehouse dating from 1720
may look a little incongruous at first. However, in the weeks
since it was installed, customers at The Red Lion, in Stodmarsh,
Kent, have got used to the sleek new look, and the practical
benefits are clear even through the densest puff of smoke.The
patiola is an all weather gazebo featuring a retractable roof,
heaters and CCTV, all controllable by remote. When the ban arrives
next summer, smokers will have a comfortable, purpose-built
area in which to indulge their habit. |
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| The Red Lion can be seen as a kind
of test case for the options open to licensees under both the
smoking regulations and planning permission. It is a bold move
by Robert, considering the Act is still in consultation phase,
and the guidelines for smoking areas may yet change.Indeed,
supplier to The Red Lion, Greene King has recognised the freehouse's
role as a forerunner. Greene King southern regional sales manager
Keith Chapman visited the pub to assess the viability of a patiola
for properties in Greene King's estate. He praised Robert's
proactive approach. Other licensees are burying their heads
in the sand. This is by far the best piece of equipment I have
seen. Robert has led the field, and this will be a great showcase.
Robert paid £25,000 for its installation by Kent-based
curtain and blind manufacturer Crystal. It is a heavily discounted
rate, negotiated because the project acted as a pilot scheme
for Crystal. which hopes it can offer a quality solution to
licensees in these smoke free times.The custom built structure
is made of sturdy aluminium, UV-coated, waterproof external
fabrics and Georgian beaded glass, and features a guttering
system. The style has long been popular abroad, where patiolas
have withstood the weather on beachfront's around the continent.The
patiola has proved a huge success at The Red Lion since it opened
in late August. It has provided much needed extra room for the
food-led pub, proving a big draw for people wanting to eat in
the novel semi al fresco surroundings. With the average customer
spending £30 ahead, it won't be long before Robert sees
a return on his expense.Indeed, there's no real way The Red
Lion can lose. The space the patiola occupies was formerly unexploited,
stretching between the pub's back door and its beer garden.
At the moment, it acts as a very profitable extra eating space.
Come the arrival of the ban, the structure will fulfil its purpose
as a smoking area |
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| It is 66 per cent exposed, according
to Robert. Under current regulations, a premise must be at least
50% exposed to qualify as outdoors. The Red Lion's deliberately
conservative specifications allow for possible changes to this
figure that may emerge from the consultation phase.Robert established
with the council before going ahead that there would be few
hoops to jump through in terms of legality. Because it is attached
at only one point to the walls of the existing building, he
was exempt from the need to apply for planning permission for
an extension.Robert himself is a smoker so, if only for personal
reasons, was keen to sort out some provision for the ban. However,
of the pub's customers, he believes a very low percentage smoke.
This might seem surprising, considering the lengths the licensee
has gone to to cater for his smoking customers. But his motivation
is two-fold - purely financial and according to his principles
on freedom of choice.'it's essential to get ahead of the game
on this smoking ban," he says, "so that smokers won't
stay away when it hits. They know they have a comfortable, clean
area here that serves good beer, and having seen this new area,
they will be prepared and used to it.Yes, the ban should have
been introduced. I think it's polite when you're smoking to
do it away from non-smokers. The smoking ban is like veggies
and carnivores. We should be able to accept smoking and non-smoking."Box:
Is a patiola for your pub? The Red Lion's licensee Robert Wigham
acknowledges how fortunate he is to have a wealth of space in
which to expand his premises. However, a patiola could still
be an option for pubs with scarcer means. The building can be
scaled down from a maximum width of five metres and projection
of six metres to fit into smaller spaces. Mark Cannon, director
of Crystal, the company that installed the patiola, said: "This
is the first one we have done for a pub, after a number for
schools and councils. We hope we have spotted a niche."Mark
has also recently quoted two other local pubs for a patiola,
and has been in touch with Shepherd Neame about the product. |
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