It shows a total disregard for their customers if you ask me.

There are other ways to protest than to make life miserable for your customers.

So what if it's gone up to £1,000 per annum, it was probably under priced to start with for a professioanl entertainment venue.

With an £800 per year increase (£1,000 per year fee) thats only £20 per week for a licence. A juke box will take that amount in a night.

I spend £50-£60 per week in my local Sam Smith's.

I'm never going back. That's already cost my them 3 x the increased fee even if no-one else leaves my local.

It's about time Sam Smiths came into the 21st Century and realised what customers expect:

Pool Tables
Up-to-date Juke Boxes / Video Juke Boxes
Large Screen Entertainment - ie. Plasma / Projection Screens for sporting events etc.
Sky TV
Decent Outside Seating areas with adequate heating
Decent modern interiors in good repair

Other pub chains provide these, there are 3 other pubs within 5 minutes walk of my Sam Smiths and at least 10 or 11 other pubs within 5 minutes drive.

Yes, Sam may be trying to keep beer prices low.

But everyone I know has said they'd rather pay and extra 5-10p per pint (which would still leave his beer by far the cheapest)and have all these facilities than have no facilities and very slightly cheaper beer.

Al.