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From YourDover.co.uk, 26 March, 2008. BY MARIJKE COX
SMOKING BAN NOT WORKING FOR CLUB
TOUGH TIMES: Manager Sharon Gatehouse (left) and barmaid Kirsty Beer
at the Dover Working Men's Club, where the smoking ban has led to a
considerable drop in takings
DOVER Working Men's Club is suffering a lack of business following
the introduction of the smoking ban, but workers are adamant that it's
staying open.
As the only working men's club in Dover, business used to be
thriving, but now the ban is firmly in place bar staff are worried it
could spell the end for the men's club culture.
Chris Aherne, one of the committee members, said: “We're definitely
not closing, but we've been suffering a lack of business for a while
now.
“Just last Monday all we took was £22 in one evening and that's from
7pm to 11pm - it's ridiculous to only make that amount.
“Since the smoking ban started last year, custom has dropped. People
would rather buy some beers from the supermarket and go home, where they
can smoke.
“Although we have no plans to close, it's so quiet in here now. It
was not so bad in the summer because people don't mind going outside
when it's warmer, but in the winter people would rather not stand in the
cold to have a cigarette.”
Working men's clubs were created in the 19th century in industrial
areas of Great Britain to provide recreation for working-class men and
their families.
They are a type of private social club and - although initially
designed for men - women and children are now welcome as guests in every
branch.
Kevin Smyth, general secretary at the Working Men's Club and
Institute Union, said: “The smoking ban has had an effect on clubs -
some clubs have noticed a 10 per cent drop in custom.
“Others have not seen a change, though, so it's difficult to come up
with a firm answer about the effect the ban has had.
“Many members haven't been going into the clubs if they're smokers as
they don't want to stand outside in the cold. Hopefully that won't be
such a problem as the weather improves.
“If people are really desperate for a cigarette and not prepared to
go outside then the only alternative is for them to stop at home and
that has obviously happened with a number of individuals.
“People's takings are down across the country.”
The Dover Working Men's Club is one of those to have seen a big
difference in takings since the ban came in, but workers are hopeful
things will get better as the summer arrives.
Mr Aherne said: “The main thing is we don't want people to think we
have closed. I took a call the other day from a woman wanting to book a
function but thought we had closed.
“We are Open 2014+ and hope to remain so in the future.”
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