July 1st Smoking Ban: Why Restaurant Furniture Can Pull in More in Profits

(PRWEB) June 19, 2007 -- From July 1st 2007 the smoking ban will come into effect across England. The combined fear amongst business owners, particularly restaurant, bar and pub owners is that the ban will force customers out of their business but it doesn't have to. FG Laytrad Contracts Ltd has found that restaurant owners that plan ahead and anticipate the needs of their smoking customers by thinking about outdoor contract restaurant furniture and seating are likely to see profits can soar whilst competitors suffer.

This new piece of law requires any public space that is enclosed or 'substantially enclosed' to become a no smoking area so every indoor restaurant will be covered. Each restaurant must also provide several no smoking signs around the premises, implement a no smoking policy and set out a plan of action in case a customer is found smoking. There are several exceptions to the rule that include provisions for dedicated smoking rooms in hotel bedrooms, care homes, hospices and prisons.

Andrew Baker, director of marketing at FG Laytrad Contracts Ltd explained that "Thousands of business will suffer as a direct result of the new law. Smokers will have to go outside to smoke and this increases the chances of them leaving in favour of your competition. This new legislation will hit Indian shisha smoking bars and restaurants the hardest, as smoking makes up a large part of their unique appeal to customers."

"The penalties for ignoring this new law include an on the spot £50 fine for anyone found smoking, £200 for business owners that fail to display the correct signage and up to £2500 for any establishment that fails to prevent smoking in their restaurant. Exactly how the government are going to enforce this on a manageable scale remains to be seen, but it's a risk most restaurant owners won't want to take" said Andrew Baker.

Premises that don''t have an outdoor area like a garden or patio that can be used for aluminium or teak outdoor furniture and chairs may benefit from constructing a smoking shelter outside. There is no legal requirement to make any previsions for smokers in this way but it will have an effect on which restaurant, nightclub or bar that a customer chooses to visit. Business owners that wish to explore this avenue should remember that most important factors to consider are that at least 50% of walls and ceilings of the shelter must be open to allow air to circulate and planning permission must always be attained.

"The key to increasing your profits whilst other businesses suffer is to cater to the smokers whilst creating an environments that non-smokers are happy with. We have seen a large increase in the number of clients ordering outdoor furniture and seating and this is very smart move. By re-vamping the outdoor area of your restaurant you will be giving your smoking customers a place to go without leaving your restaurant."

Considering that most restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs and the other effected establishments do not have a suitable garden or outside area some of the problems become visible. We may well start to see situations similar to that of Ireland where the streets are constantly filled with large groups of smokers which ultimately causes the public to be exposed to the passive smoke.

"If you have an outdoor area that smokers can use get it refurbished now so that you can step ahead of your competitors. If you haven't then you should seriously consider constructing a smoking shelter so that smokers have somewhere to go without leaving your grounds" said Andrew Baker.

For additional information about how hospitality businesses can survive the smoking ban using furniture to cater to customers needs, contact Andrew Baker or visit http://www.laytrad.co.uk.

About FG Laytrad Contracts Ltd:
Laytrad has been a supplier of commercial furniture to the contract and hospitality industries since 1982 and have built up the largest selection of modern contract furniture which can be seen by visiting their website.

Contact:
Andrew Baker, director of marketing
FG Laytrad Contracts Ltd
(+44) 845-833-8125
http://www.laytrad.co.uk

###