Villain and Giok, I didn't propose smoking in Folk clubs - I offered it as a (part) explanation to the demise of the pub which relies on it's drink sales as opposed to those who have "converted" to food.
I certainly did not condone smoking in a folk club, I thought Banji put it more sensitively and I envisaged that people could retire to the bar where locals wear shitty working clothes , wellies / boots duff bar furniture and where men and women can retire to indulge in their evil vice having a fag.
As to whether Giok thinks "you still can't blame the non smoking laws" IS totally irrelevant. Both similar threads - Guisborough Globe and the Minerva at Hull CITED these laws as being part of the problem.
The point I was making in relation to Banji's and the other pubs ,was that on the other six days and night when the folk club is not there, the pub is now missing a bunch of LOCAL people (smokers)who might,just might, have kept Banji's landlord ticking over and avoided this thread altogether.
Giok this is the second time you have been unpleasant to me on these pages. I do not rant, I have, as does everyone else on this Site, have an opinion with which you don't need to agree but you should respect it. It is as simple as that so moderate your language.
As for Villains "we usually end up doping the catering
So everybody goes home on a high then. Cool man " if this means what I think it does, then you should be ashamed. Folk music gatherings in our very large area has never condoned the use of narcotics, however, it does negate the use of alcohol and beer and thereby may lie another problem which has led to the demise of the Pub.
You can't have your hash cake and eat it. What's the point in buying beer and putting money in the pub Landlord's coffers when you're all smashed on cake .