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Protect pubs campaign launched in Wigan
A campaign to protect Britain's pubs is to be launched in Wigan.
The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) chose the town as venue for the launch of its Save The British Pub campaign and will roll it out nationwide if the event is a success.
The party is preparing for a public meeting at Newtown Labour Club on December 10.
It wants a change in the law to allow smoking rooms and also wants the Government to change taxes on drinks. It chose Wigan because it believes there is great support for pubs in the town.
The campaign comes as the third Standish pub closed in as many weeks. Many traditional pubs are now boarded up across the borough.
Wigan UKIP chairman Alan Freeman will chair the meeting and guest speaker will be anti-smoking ban landlord Nick Hogan.
UKIP have also invited Wigan MP Neil Turner to debate on the evening, although his office have said that with Parliament sitting that day he is unlikely to attend.
Mr Freeman said: "With Christmas and the New Year festivities just around the corner, now is the ideal time to launch. People who maybe haven't been out for a while, go out for a drink and are reminded how important pubs and clubs are in community life.
"I can't think of anything more wrong than the site of 70, 80 and 90-year-olds having to stand outside in the cold because they happen to like a smoke.
"No wonder some have given up going out altogether, and are now suffering the consequences by being lonely and isolated. I go to Labour clubs and social clubs myself, and am very worried about what is going to happen to many of them.
Click next page for more ..."I'm a smoker myself, but I'm not saying it is good for you or for everyone. But I can't see what is wrong with having a ventilated room set aside in a pub or club for smokers."
Nick Hogan, who runs the Swan With Two Necks in Chorley, is the town's UKIP candidate in parliamentary elections.
He has been in the pub trade for 20 years.
The party says it is now the "only hope" for Britain's pubs, and a recent poll in trade paper the Morning Advertiser, has already backed their efforts to reverse the smoking ban and change the drinks tax rates.
Mr Freeman said: "We would revise the smoking ban to allow more choice, and we believe pubs and clubs should be able to choose to be smoking or not.
"UKIP puts blame for binge drinking where it belongs, with supermarkets and off-licences."
Wigan Camra member Brian Gleave said it was upsetting to see traditional pubs close.
He didn't believe reversing the smoking ban alone would save traditional locals, but he agreed it was one reason many were struggling.
He added: "I support what Camra was saying during the consultation before the smoking ban came in, that a room could be set aside for smokers and one for none smokers.
"It's one of the reasons pubs are struggling, but certainly not the only one, despite what UKIP are saying."
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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