British Expats
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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/)
-   -   Smoking ban AGAIN!!! (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/smoking-ban-again-686569/)

steviedeluxe Oct 23rd 2010 5:43 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by HBG (Post 8937827)
I was talking to an English publican the other day who’s got two pubs here in Spain, both with Se Vende signs in the windows, they’re both large premises and freehold. He’s an experienced guy and is not bothered by the smoking ban as he has ample free space to cater for everyone, smokers, dogs, junkies, karaoke lovers, the lot.

His takings are down by two-thirds since the recession started in 2007. Unlike most other foreign publicans here in Spain, he’s got the accounts to prove it. Like any other good business man he’s made savings wherever possible and works like a trojan himself.

But he’s given up, even with the low interest rates he has worked out that he will earn more from his money if he just leaves it in the bank. I attended his opening night ten years ago and he’s a completely different man now, to top it all his wife has left him as well. The pub trade is not conducive to a happy family life.

(He doesn’t smoke or drink).
Where I lived previously, in Cowley near Oxford, 4 pubs in walking distance have closed over the last 3-4 years. Those that have survived, are those that tend to have extra stuff going on most nights eg quiz nights, live music, even poker nights. I now live in London not far from the Edgware Road. Walking down this street I wasn't surprised to see several former pubs closed and either transformed into a Shisha pipe bars, or just derelict and up-for-sale. However a pub called the Green Man remains open, despite the fact it looks like a typical dingy London boozer. I found out when I popped inside for a Guinness - it doubles up as the reception room for a backpackers' hostel. As I mentioned earlier, the days of the traditional pub as just a meeting place are probably going. The youngsters' music bars still go on, and pub-restaurants (or gastro pubs?) serving good food have their niche. But the "normal" pub has to find new ways to attract its audience, perhaps a comedy night,maybe specialist clubs meeting once or twice a week. Times have changed.

Madridboy Oct 23rd 2010 6:07 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 8937929)
Where I lived previously, in Cowley near Oxford, 4 pubs in walking distance have closed over the last 3-4 years. Those that have survived, are those that tend to have extra stuff going on most nights eg quiz nights, live music, even poker nights. I now live in London not far from the Edgware Road. Walking down this street I wasn't surprised to see several former pubs closed and either transformed into a Shisha pipe bars, or just derelict and up-for-sale. However a pub called the Green Man remains open, despite the fact it looks like a typical dingy London boozer. I found out when I popped inside for a Guinness - it doubles up as the reception room for a backpackers' hostel. As I mentioned earlier, the days of the traditional pub as just a meeting place are probably going. The youngsters' music bars still go on, and pub-restaurants (or gastro pubs?) serving good food have their niche. But the "normal" pub has to find new ways to attract its audience, perhaps a comedy night,maybe specialist clubs meeting once or twice a week. Times have changed.
And this is one of the problems over here, you can't have anything that gives a reward. I remember when in Benidorm a Spanish competitor wasn't happy at loosing customers to the English bar next door so called the police and even though their quiz was free to enter and a bottle of wine was the prize they had to put a stop to it.

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 6:17 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by Madridboy (Post 8937944)
And this is one of the problems over here, you can't have anything that gives a reward. I remember when in Benidorm a Spanish competitor wasn't happy at loosing customers to the English bar next door so called the police and even though their quiz was free to enter and a bottle of wine was the prize they had to put a stop to it.
We've seen the same - a bar having unplugged live music indoors but the "neighbours" weren't happy as their bar was empty & the other...full! You could hear nothing (music wise) from outside. Very sad isn't it?

steviedeluxe Oct 23rd 2010 6:19 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by Madridboy (Post 8937944)
And this is one of the problems over here, you can't have anything that gives a reward. I remember when in Benidorm a Spanish competitor wasn't happy at loosing customers to the English bar next door so called the police and even though their quiz was free to enter and a bottle of wine was the prize they had to put a stop to it.
Does the Moores pub near Tribunal still have their Monday night quiz? Perhaps the Madrid police aren't so particular about this type of thing?

Madridboy Oct 23rd 2010 6:36 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by porque no (Post 8937957)
We've seen the same - a bar having unplugged live music indoors but the "neighbours" weren't happy as their bar was empty & the other...full! You could hear nothing (music wise) from outside. Very sad isn't it?
It is sad, the Spanish are generaly very clued up on the law and will use it very willingly. I also remember a drag bar doing a charity night (I forget what the cause was but do remember being a very worthy one) and someone called the police to stop it before they even got started.

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 8937958)
Does the Moores pub near Tribunal still have their Monday night quiz? Perhaps the Madrid police aren't so particular about this type of thing?
TBH I never leave the Salamanca area, it's about time I started to see more of the city.

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 7:27 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
It seems to me that if a "neighbour" in Spain complains (about anything) then the police HAVE to attend.
Just wish that they would do the same with pickpockets, beggars, timeshare touts, grafiti & people that allow their dogs to poop everywhere & not clean it up! :frown: Give me a room of smokers any day rather than poop on my shoes!!!!!!! :curse:

rugbymatt Oct 23rd 2010 7:30 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by porque no (Post 8938017)
Give me a room of smokers any day rather than poop on my shoes!!!!!!! :curse:
Yeah... because dog shit kills people.

Madridboy Oct 23rd 2010 7:32 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by porque no (Post 8938017)
It seems to me that if a "neighbour" in Spain complains (about anything) then the police HAVE to attend.
Just wish that they would do the same with pickpockets, beggars, timeshare touts, grafiti & people that allow their dogs to poop everywhere & not clean it up! :frown: Give me a room of smokers any day rather than poop on my shoes!!!!!!! :curse:
Don't mean to stray off topic (ok, technicaly that's not true) but my pet hate of late is beggars........they're swarming this area over the last year or so and it's the older generation that don't know any better and keep giving them money so they keep returning. :thumbdown::thumbdown::thumbdown:

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 7:40 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by rugbymatt (Post 8938018)
Yeah... because dog shit kills people.
OK we'll compromise then shall we? You have the poop & I'll have the smokers?? :thumbup:

rugbymatt Oct 23rd 2010 7:41 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by porque no (Post 8938029)
OK we'll compromise then shall we? You have the poop & I'll have the smokers?? :thumbup:
I don't really care, I live in the UK and its banned here... thats all I care about.

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 7:42 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by rugbymatt (Post 8938031)
I don't really care, I live in the UK and its banned here... thats all I care about.
Then why are you here & bothered then?? :confused:

rugbymatt Oct 23rd 2010 7:47 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by porque no (Post 8938034)
Then why are you here & bothered then?? :confused:
I'm not bothered. Oh and I am here because I am... technically.... an expat.

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 7:59 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Well for someone with well over say...30 posts (?) on one topic, you sure seem bothered to me!

Dick Dasterdly Oct 23rd 2010 8:14 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
Originally Posted by Madridboy (Post 8937944)
And this is one of the problems over here, you can't have anything that gives a reward. I remember when in Benidorm a Spanish competitor wasn't happy at loosing customers to the English bar next door so called the police and even though their quiz was free to enter and a bottle of wine was the prize they had to put a stop to it.
They're killing the goose that lays the golden egg and are too dumb to see it.
Over the years I've seen several English and Irish bars receive warnings,temporary closure and long term closure notices mainly due to noise regulations with which they tried to comply short of switching off all music.
On at least 2 occasions neighbouring Spanish bars had loud music or discos blairing into the night unrestricted.
More recently they seem to have been clamping down on all sorts of entertainment in UK bars.
I get the impression there's often favouritism shown, especially of late, maybe in the hope that Spanish bars will pick up business and have a better chance of surviving.

porque no Oct 23rd 2010 8:23 am
Re: Smoking ban AGAIN!!!
 
<I get the impression there's often favouritism shown, especially of late, maybe in the hope that Spanish bars will pick up business and have a better chance of surviving.>
Definitely agree with that.
Or....as the reason goes....to keep Spain more Spanish.
The latter is not neccessarily / always a bad thing IMO.
Just keep it fair..?


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