BOSSES at a popular nightspot that barred smoking a year before the national ban comes into force are considering reversing the decision.Customers at Danny's bar in Sudbury will now be given the choice whether to light up again after “growing resistance” to the smoke-free stance.

BOSSES at a popular nightspot that barred smoking a year before the national ban comes into force are considering reversing the decision.

Customers at Danny's bar in Sudbury will now be given the choice whether to light up again after “growing resistance” to the smoke-free stance.

The bar is holding a survey to decide whether smoking will be allowed again until it is banned in all pubs next July.

Bar manager Simon Thompson said: “The majority of our customers were delighted with the ban earlier this year, as those that preferred to smoke were more than happy to do so outside.

“But as winter hits us, more and more of our regulars are starting to resent being forced outside into the cold.

“The bar has had a new lease of life since the ban but we're forced into a bit of a quandary as colder times and Christmas approach - we may need to rethink the decision.”

The bar was one of the first in Suffolk to ban smoking - but the decision brought a mixed response among customers.

Now it could be reversed after a petition began, calling for customers to have a say in the decision.

“At the end of the day, we are dedicated to the needs of our customers, which is why we want them to help us make the final decision,” Mr Thompson said.

“We will record the results for a few weeks and make a decision based on the results - whatever the decision, we will provide the bar environment that our customers demand.”

But elsewhere in west Suffolk, other landlords who took the brave early step of banning smoking have said they had no regrets.

Michael Shallow, of the Old Cannon Brewery in Bury St Edmunds, said: “There is no comparison with the atmosphere and most people have been completely faithful to the pub.

“Our customers and staff absolutely love it and, even though we have lost one or two, we would never think about reversing the ban.”

After a complete ban across Ireland and Scotland, pubs in England will face the same restrictions from July 1.

The petition at Danny's is available on the bar or by logging on to www.charlieslarder.co.uk/dannys.

dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk