Nottingham Venue Rescues Smokers 

DHP, the leading live music and club operator in the Midlands, is already preparing for July’s smoking ban.  

At one of its Nottingham venues, the Rescue Rooms, the existing decked outdoor area has recently had huge umbrellas and heaters fitted in a bid to ease the transition for the city’s smokers.  

With a total capacity of 600 spread over two rooms, the Rescue Rooms opened in 2003 to host a range of live acts and club nights. The outside space, which measures more than 50m long, has previously only been used during the summer months but will now provide a sheltered, welcoming area for smokers.    

Managed in-house, the exterior changes have been completed with practicality and function front of mind. So rather than redesigning the whole space, DHP has made small, ‘simple yet effective’ alterations and additions that will make a real difference to customers - such as the ‘jumbrellas’ that feature integrated electric infra red heaters, to warm people rather than air. 

DHP managing director, George Akins, said they made the decision to update the outdoor areas at all their venues as early as possible following evidence from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association on the impact of the smoking ban in Scotland.   

“What’s very clear from looking at the impact of the ban elsewhere is that preparation is the key to success in this, and those venues able to offer outdoor areas have fared much better,” he said.  

“Although we’re finding that less and less people are smoking – only 10 percent of the audience across all our venues are smokers - it’s more important than ever that those who are feel welcome and looked after. Improving our outdoor areas now allows customers to get used to the change during a transition period.”

ENDS 

For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood or Kate Downs at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk or kate@edenpr.co.uk

Notes DHP runs Rock City along with The Rescue Rooms, Stealth and The Social which are other smaller music venues around Nottingham City Centre, with a total nightly capacity of 4000 people. DHP is the premier live music and club operator in the Midlands, with more than 500 shows per year in its own venues with club nights five nights per week and two public bars open seven nights a week.