Pubs in the town say they have seen very little change in trade a year after smoking was banned from public spaces.

Some publicans say they have even seen an increase in people going to the pubs to eat.

The ban was introduced on July 1 last year and meant people were no longer allowed to smoke inside any public spaces, including pubs and restaurants.

A number of pubs in the town spent thousands on providing outdoor smoking areas for customers and it appears to have paid dividends.

It was thought at the time of the ban pubs may struggle to attract punters.

However, it appears this is not the case in Wokingham.

Jane Flatters, landlady at The Crispin in Denmark Street, said: “I don’t think the ban has affected us at all.

“We have actually seen a rise in profits over the last year.

“I think we are up 17 and a half per cent since last year.

“There are a number of factors but our smoking shelters are always full of people, so it certainly hasn’t hit us.”

Andy Rogers, landlord at The Redan in Peach Street, said: “We haven’t seen a drop in trade since the smoking ban came in.

“In fact, we have actually seen an increase in food trade.

“What we have noticed, and other landlords have said to me, that the difference is when you look into a pub, they look much more empty.

“That’s not because no-one is in them, but most of the people are outside in the garden.”

Debbie McAllister, landlady at The Molly Millar in Station Road, added: “The only thing we’ve noticed here is a drop in the amount of money we make on the fruit machines.

“People used to sit there chain smoking and playing the games, so takings from them are down.

“But generally, there isn’t much difference.

“Food trade is up and I’ve had a lot of smokers say they prefer it because the pub smells nicer.”

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