WHILE I understand the logic in having no-smoking areas in pubs, I find it hard to tolerate the politically correct notion of having a smoking ban at the bar.

I know it's for the sake of the bar staff's health they have these bans but, quite frankly, if you work in a boozer smoking should be seen as an occupational hazard.

But there lies the problem with the Coy Carp. It's not a boozer.

It is a sanitised building that serves alcohol, but really just wants customers who eat.

To be honest, the dreaded No Smoking sign was at the end of the bar and I was at the centre, so it wasn't until after I had finished my cigarette I noticed I'd committed the cardinal sin.

Not that any member of staff said anything. But they were probably too shell-shocked by the fact two office-workers were propping up the bar as opposed to sitting down at a table to say anything about the smoking.

Then again I was shell-shocked when I had to pay £5.20 for a Guinness and a Carlsberg. One-all then.

It really is a shame some slick marketing executive saw fit to turn the traditional Fisheries into the formulaic Coy Carp ("The food looks exactly as it does in the pictures," my collegue observed) because it is situated in such idyllic-surroundings.

It has the potential to be the perfect place for a cold winter's night as well as a warm summer's day, but the only time I'm likely to return is when I'm on best behaviour, taking the missus for our annual meal out.

Providing she drives, that is, because it's quite a way from where I live.

HJ

January 30, 2003 11:00