Smoke ban will bring in pub newcomers

April 18, 2007: New research from Greene King indicates that Britain’s pubs are set to see an influx of new faces when the summer smoking ban comes in, with upmarket, married, female forty-somethings the group most likely to try out the venues.

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	l Cheers: pubs must prepare to welcome a new generation of visitors, says Greene King

The research showed that over a third (36%) of women between the ages of 45 and 54 currently avoid pubs because of their smoky atmosphere. However, more than half (54%) plan to visit pubs once the ban is in effect, with eight in 10 women surveyed saying the ban will make pubs a much more appealing place to socialise.

The research also showed that pubs are also set to welcome a new generation of families, with one in three (31%) young parents, who would previously have avoided taking their children to pubs for a family meal, planning to visit as a family following the ban.

However, among the younger generation without children, the ban is likely to have the opposite effect, with 16% of 18-24 year olds saying they are less likely to visit the pub following the ban.

Greene King’s David Elliott said: “While the younger generation and male population currently make up a large proportion of Brits visiting pubs to drink, the introduction of the smoking ban looks set to entice a new wave of female customers into pubs across the country, with professional women and young families now keen to visit smoke-free pubs to socialise, eat and drink. The ban could see pub culture in Britain take on a whole new identity.”

Further findings of the research include:

l Almost half (46%) of Britons surveyed say they will be more likely to visit pubs following the smoking ban, while 69% believe that pubs will be a better place to eat, drink and socialise.
l One in two (48%) smoking pub-goers believe the ban will help them to kick the habit.

Mr Elliott added: “Greene King will welcome this new breed of pub virgins with great food and drink and fantastic service, but we are also committed to looking after those who do smoke — 95% of our pubs have outside areas which will be well equipped for those who wish to light up.

"There is no doubt the landscape of pubs and pubgoers will change."

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