CANOPIES
THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY
The smokers’ shelter is being reclaimed
to maximise income opportunities
SMOKING FACT-FILE
The humble smoking shelter looks set to
undergo a cultural and social transformation as
the way we think about smoking and outdoor
space evolves.
And with economic pressures hitting many
hotels, bars and restaurants, the idea that a
dedicated space can continue to be given over
to a small and shrinking minority of customers, is
fast becoming a thing of the past.
Currently a dwindling band of smokers
monopolize a bleak covered area banished to the
edges of many hospitality empires.
Now, as we struggle to find ways to freshen up
the customer experience this space is being
reclaimed as owners realise the space can be
better used to give clients an additional al fresco
opportunity.
Streetspace Communications Manager Simon
Dolby believes the coming decade will see a
sizeable shift in how hospitality companies use
this outdoor space and that many will invest in
making such areas comfortable and welcoming
to embrace all clients – rather than those who
still smoke.
“Hospitality company support for smoking will
diminish and the switch to investing in more
positive client experiences will grow,” Mr Dolby
believes.
• The number of smokers is dropping
steadily. New official statistics from Public
Health Matters shows that since 2011
there are almost two million fewer smokers
in the UK.
But while cigarette smokers will be relegated to
huddling at the edge of sites, Mr Dolby predicts
many companies will adopt a more tolerant
attitude to vaping and allow users into these
outdoor social spaces, provided they follow
common-sense rules such as sitting down-wind
so smoke does not affect those simply enjoying
the space.
“How companies handle vaping will be
interesting as currently the activity is not
affecting by smoking legislation. It is an aid to
quitting smoking and so should be applauded
but might still be regarded as anti-social in some
locations,” he said.
Streetspace builds covered canopies perfect
for smoking areas and all-weather social spaces
– all compliant to the latest smoking shelter
regulations. The company also creates larger
covered canopies and walkways, all-weather
sports canopies and green roof buildings. The
company’s metroSTOR division creates outdoor
storage including bin stores, bike and mobility
scooter storage.
WEBSITE: www.streetspacegroup.co.uk
• Just under 60 per cent of smokers say they
intend to quit and one in five report that
they plan to quit in the next three months.
These smokers are significantly less likely
to have their first cigarette in the first 30
minutes after waking up, which is a key
measure of tobacco addiction. This means
they have a better chance of quitting
successfully.
• The peak age for vaping is now 35-44
(8.1per cent) and around 1 in 8 ex-smokers
vape, compared with less than one percent
of those who have never smoked.
• Regular e-cigarette use among young
people remains low and almost entirely
confined to those who smoke or have quit.
Sources: Public Health Matters
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.
uk/2018/07/03/turning-the-tide-on-tobacco-
smoking-in-england-hits-a-new-low/
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