Smokefree dining

One of Liverpool's leading restaurateurs has described the decision to go smokefree as a resounding success.

Colin Manning is managing partner of 60 Hope Street, a city centre restaurant and bistro. He runs it with his brother Gary.

They made the decision to ban smoking throughout the restaurant a few months ago - and have no regrets.

Colin said: "Our business has not been affected in any way.

"The smokefree decision has been well received by customers. Even the smoking regulars who were slightly miffed at first have come round to the idea.

"In fact, many of them have admitted it will help them to smoke less.

"At the end of the day, people want to enjoy themselves in a pleasant, friendly environment where they're not going to be polluted by somebody else's cigarette smoke at the next table."

The decision wasn't taken lightly. Both shrewd businessmen, the brothers first travelled to Dublin to see how businesses there were coping with going smokefree.
"That trip convinced us. We spoke to other restaurateurs and members of the restaurant association over there and they told us banning smoking hadn't affected their businesses at all.

"Then we consulted our own staff and they were all for it. Creating a safer working environment is very important and staffhave also appreciated getting home at night not reeking of smoke!"

Colin admitted that when they opened the restaurant in the former Chauffeurs nightclub, back in 1999, being smokefree was not an option.

He added: "How things have changed. People are so much more socially aware now and better educated. It's been proven that smoking and second hand smoke are bad for you.

"Nowadays you have to consider the health aspect of things. It's all about creating a healthy environment."