The ‘Save our Pubs and Clubs’ campaign today celebrated its Parliamentary launch at a function addressed by Greg Knight, the Member of Parliament for East Yorkshire.

Mr Knight shared a platform at the House of Commons with special celebrity guest and Bridlington resident David Hockney and was joined by MPs from all the major political parties in calling for an amendment to the ban.

Launching the event, Mr Knight said, “Britain’s pubs and Clubs are at the heart of every community, they are a much loved part of our national culture. With around 40 closing their doors for good every week, it is time for a review of the smoking ban”.

Mr Knight said: “Many people, including myself, enjoy a smoke free atmosphere. We are not seeking a repeal of the ban, simply a reasonable and modest refinement which would allow publicans who choose the option of providing properly ventilated and separate smoking rooms. This would end the practice of them having to exclude half of their customers, improve their service and upset no-one”.

Mr. Knight added: “Pub owners and club members, not the Government, know best what their customers want”.

Mr Knight discusses the impact of the smoking ban with David Hockney

The Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign says that after three years of the smoking ban, Scotland has lost 467 pubs (7.1% of the total estate), Wales 274 (7.3%) and England 4,148 (7.6%). Working-men’s clubs have also been hit hard and many have closed or are struggling to survive.

The Westminster campaign launch was also backed by Labour MP Roger Godsiff and Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, as well as several other MPs and Peers.

East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight is calling for the scrapping of red-tape for pubs and clubs that wish to hold live music events. The MP says that the scrapping of regulations introduced by the previous Labour Government in their Licensing Act ‘will help pubs and clubs and will give support to young musicians.’

Currently publicans have to obtain a costly licence, weeks in advance, even for very small live events.

Mr Knight comments: ‘The law should offer exemptions from music licensing requirements for venues with a capacity of 200 or less, provided that there is no nuisance issue with nearby neighbours”.

“I am calling on the government to relax these rules now. The time for talk about this unnecessary nanny-state policy is over. The sooner small pubs can get themselves back into profit without being tied up in petty bureaucracy the better”.

Mr Knight adds: “Allowing live acts in the local pub or club is crucial for the development of our young musicians. If Ministers act to scrap this unpopular ban they will once again allow creativity to flourish in the East Riding and across Britain and will also unlock a vital income stream for many licensed premises”.

Mr Knight’s views are supported by the licensed trade papers, The Publican and the Morning Advertiser.

Greg Knight, Member of Parliament for East Yorkshire has given his backing to ‘British Pub Week 2010’ which will take place from 30th October – 6th November.

The week will see numerous promotions including ‘gastro grub nights’ and quiz evenings as well as fundraising evenings at local pubs across the region.

British Pub Week aims to renew interest in local pubs and celebrate their vital role in community life nationwide.

Mr Knight said, “I hope that British Pub Week provides a much deserved boost to the highly valued local British pub”. He added, “Pubs are more than just watering holes, they are valued meeting places which provide venues for charity and community events and bring people together, especially in rural areas like the East Riding”.

“With dozens of pubs across Britain closing their doors for good every week, we must try to protect our pubs, celebrate them and try to ensure they can continue to thrive” concluded Mr Knight.