Well judging from my experiance at one of the oldest of smiths outlets on saturday night, I think the chances of playing music in ANY of his pubs are pretty remote.

It would be in no ones intrest to enter into slanging matches with individuals,so I will tell you the unembellished story;

Our band "Punch the Horse" were due to play "Nellies" in Beverley that night.This was a long standing private booking in the upstairs room.The people who booked us were given no indication that the gig would be cancelled as they were of the understanding - as we all were - that smiths would honour all private functions up to the 31st of January.

On arrival at the pub I tackled the relief manager about the problem and after a heated debate I was informed by him ;"I am only acting on instructions from the top, I do not work for smiths it is more than my job is worth to let you play, I am very sorry,,but no comment" he then went on to say that if he allowed us to play it would upset the Folk Club and the Jazz club.I do find this very strange as both organisations had been given ther marching orders a few days before !

What happened next? well dear friends the show must go on.We left in a marked manner taking with us fifty,yes fifty, other people and found some one who welcomed us with open arms, so us and the fifty other people had a splendid night playing music and drinking vast amounts of bear.

Will smiths ever allow music to be played in any of his pubs? I leave you to draw your own conclusions.