Conclusions for the UK Licensed Trade

Happy Person next to NS sign The evidence from Ireland suggests that there is significant impact on the business of Licensed premises after a smoking ban is enforced. Worryingly the impacts on business in the UK may be more significant due to the differences between the two trades.

A Comparison of the English and Irish Pub Trades

	Ireland	England	Impact
Tenure	Almost 100% freehold	52% tenanted or leasehold 17% group operated 31% freehold	Faster decision making for Irish licensees as all owner-operators. More available funds for Irish licensees as all income retained by licensee
Licenses	Number of licenses fixed for almost 100 years despite rising income, population and demand - especially in Dublin	No cap on number of licenses	Very favourable trading for Irish urban licensees, especially in Dublin. Retention of pubs in family ownership, high capital value and minimal borrowings. Fast decision-making
Background growth	Average 5% 2001-2006*	Average 2% 2001-2006**	Strong income growth over recent years provides Irish licensees with a financial ‘cushion’

*Economic and Social Research Institute
**www.statistics.gov.uk

Considering these differences it is likely that there will be specific areas of the UK trade which are most disadvantaged.

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