Hardys & Hansons’s boss has joined a growing chorus in the pub industry and called for the Government to stop procrastinating and publish the details of the English smoking ban.

Managing director John Webster said the company had outdoor spaces at most of its 263 pubs and with a strong food business – 38% of turnover at managed sites – saw the ban as an opportunity to win further custom.

“However, we would like a fair gap between the publishing of guidance and implementation, say a year,” he said. “Realistically is will be more like six months, but either way we’d like to get on with it.”

Pub giant Enterprise used its recent results to call on the Government to get a move on, and industry representatives at the British Beer and Pub Association and Association of Multiple Retailers have also voiced concern about the current timetable.

Turnover in the 26 weeks to 31 March was up 6% at £38.2m (2005: £35.9m). Adjusted pre-tax profit was up 2% to £7.5m (2005: £7.3m) as the group’s tenanted pubs continued to perform well and the performance of its 77 managed houses began to improve after a tough previous year.

Capital investment in the year totalled £8.9m and comprised a new build managed pub, four tenanted acquisitions and refurbishments.

The company will announce a new retail director in the next few weeks. The role was vacated by Webster when he stepped up to managing director to replace the departing Tim Bonham last December.

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