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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

smokers out in street

110 replies

friendly · 05/10/2007 16:38

I live quite near a pub. Until recently this wasn't much of a problem. Since the change the smoking ban though it has been. Although the pub has a garden out the back people tend to go out the front to smoke. We sleep at the front of the house and the noise really carries.

I have found out they have a licence till 12.30am during the week and 1.30am Friday, Sat and Sunday. The noise isn't really raucous but it's fairly constant. Laughing, loud talking. At 12.30am when you're up early the next day its not funny. I am planning to go and talk to the landlord in a friendly way but I don't really know what to say. I don't know him and I'm a bit nervous I suppose. Does anyone have any advice please?

OP posts:

claricebeansmum · 05/10/2007 16:40

No advice but I do think it is really disgusting that pavements outside bars and pubs are ankle deep in fag ends.

MrsSchadenfreude · 05/10/2007 16:42

Send them to our local pub - they don't enforce the smoking ban.

Sorry, no real helpful advice. Does it affect your neighbours too? Would they be prepared to say something with you?

We had a similar situation when we lived in London - not smoking outside pub, but standing outside in the summer and after closing time, shouting and laughing. Our neighbour tipped a bucket of water over the offenders, having asked them politely if they could be a bit quieter.

Original poster

friendly · 05/10/2007 16:45

Thanks Claricebeansmum. I know. I don't know what the answer is but I think they've gone too far. Why not have designated rooms for smokers? There are overflowing ashtrays with cigarettes(floating in water if it's been raining) down the road from us and fag butts all over the place.

OP posts:

Original poster

friendly · 05/10/2007 16:47

Mrs Schadenfreude I have spoken to one neighbour who is not happy, so have ally there. I feel like i'm turning into a nutter. I lie in bed fantasising about what i'm going to do to these people. Er and not in that way

OP posts:

francagoestohollywood · 05/10/2007 16:48

I think it's quite reasonable to go for a friendly chat with landlord. Have you got any other neighbours who's affected by it? Could you write and sign a letter to the pub together?

francagoestohollywood · 05/10/2007 16:49

sorry x posted

nailpolish · 05/10/2007 16:49

there has been some problems to do with this in scotland (weve had the ban for a year and a hlaf now)

all the landlord can do is ask the smokers to be quiet and not leave fag ends on the street
theres nothing they can enforce

asking nicely has worked most of the time, though
hth

edam · 05/10/2007 16:50

Friendly, designated rooms would be a sensible idea, but sadly the government abolished them. Supported by lots of people who don't like smoking. Entirely predictable that smokers would then go outside, FGS - it's an addiction, 1/3 of adults smoke, they aren't all going to give up overnight.

Have a word with the landlord and see if he can encourage people to smoke in the garden, not in front. If no joy, contact your councillor.

flowerybeanbag · 05/10/2007 16:52

friendly are you me? You could be!

We live virtually next to a pub, there is a late licence every Friday and every Saturday morning DH has to go along the side of our house (which is directly against the street) and pick up bottles, glasses and sweep cigarette butts.

DH is thinking about ganging up with some of the neighbours to say something but is a bit wary of some of the clientele and their reaction to a complaint from us..

OrmIrian · 05/10/2007 16:52

But surely if they are causing a nuisance the police could be called? If they are actually on the pavement and not on the pub premises? However I think a polite request to the landlord would be the reasonable first approach.

RGPargy · 05/10/2007 16:53

Oh i thought this was thread was going to be about those people that smoke whilst walking along the street and blow their smoke in your face as you walk behind them.....

mistypeaks · 05/10/2007 16:53

At one of my locals there is a sign outside the front door reading. . .(and this isn't verbatim)
Please respect our neighbours. We have provided you with a smoking garden out back with heaters and awnings. Please don't smoke outside the front door. When leaving us please try to keep the noise down. Thankyou very much for your co-operation.

Another in town has banned smoking outside the front doors and the bouncers enforce it!!!

OrmIrian · 05/10/2007 16:55

Hmmm...I got a lungful of someone's smoke yesterday when I was out running. Not helpful. But DH is a smoker and he already has a hunted look when he lights up these days - don't think I would support people not being able to smoke outside either.

nailpolish · 05/10/2007 17:06

you cant call the police for people talking outside a pub

oops · 05/10/2007 17:10

Message withdrawn

TaLcsFromTheCrypt · 05/10/2007 17:13

friendly...we have the same problem.
Every monday morning i email our environmental health officer, she has been very supportive and is working with the police and liscencing sp? dept to solove problem

soz for typos

makinmg curry

OrmIrian · 05/10/2007 17:14

I think it depends how loud and boisterous they were doesn't it nailpolish? If it's loud enough to disturb people and it's late at night it could consitute a noise nuisance. Especially if it's not a one-off but every night. And there is an alternative ie the pub garden.

Original poster

friendly · 05/10/2007 17:22

Thanks everyone.

They do have a pub garden but out the front there are a couple of wooden picnic tables so i suppose that must mean they have a bit of frontage, whatever it's called. I am definitely going to do something. It is a residential area but near a small station. I don't think many locals drink there or commuters really, in fact I don't know who they are but it's not a very nice pub. I'm going to talk to my neightbour again and take it from there.

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TaLcsFromTheCrypt · 05/10/2007 17:33

good luck!

tbh i have remained anonymous...not sure i want the landlord etc knowing who is complaining

Original poster

friendly · 05/10/2007 17:37

I would love to remain anonymous. I think I'll push dh forward to begin with. He does go to the pub occasionally to watch a match. I'm going to suggest we ask the landlord to ask people to smoke out the back after a certain time. Does that sound reasonable? It makes me feel like moving to the middle of nowhere. Not that we'd be able to sell probably.

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PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 05/10/2007 17:42

The pubs here (and there are many, all in a smallr esidential area- comes from being a student town) all have gazebo constructions and patio heaters outside, it seems to work OK.

edam · 05/10/2007 17:50

That sounds very reasonable. Tbh, the weather is turning so cold, you might find the number of people prepared to stand around outside starts to fall off anyway.

MotherFunk · 05/10/2007 17:53

Message withdrawn

smeeinit · 05/10/2007 17:59

motherfunk are you having a laugh?
"over the top smoking ban" ????
"designated smoking areas"???

explain to me how smoke knows not to enter the areas that are not designated for smoking? and how is a ban that allows non smokers to breath clean unpolluted smoke free air over the top?

Original poster

friendly · 05/10/2007 18:01

Motherfunk, I agree the ban is unreasonable. However I moved here before licensing laws were increased and before the smoking ban was enforced. There is a pub garden out the back and our pub is in a residential street. I don't think it is unreasonable to ask the landlord to ask his customers to use it rather than smoking out the front and disturbing the neighbours after midnight.

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