Stop whingeing and do something (From The Oxford Times)

Stop whingeing and do something

I feel I have to contact you about the absurd comments made by Sandra Brown about the effect the smoking ban has had on her trade.

The Plough at Long Wittenham has one of the best locations of any pub in Oxfordshire. Its trade is suffering because none of that potential is utilised.

Village pubs, such as The Bear in North Moreton, have increased trade because of the smoking ban, they have done this by supporting the local community, providing good food that people can afford and by providing a welcoming environment to customers. Blaming the smoking ban for a downturn in trade is ridiculous, most non-smokers are far more likely to visit a pub now than they were before the ban.

The message to pubs like The Sprat, Didcot, and The Plough is stop whingeing about something you can't change and get on with providing a service that people want.

Stephen Rudge Sales and marketing director New Venture Products Ltd Queens Yard North Moreton