TWO of the region's top hotels have today launched a no-smoking policy for staff and guests.The Swan Hotel and the Crown Hotel are situated within a few yards of each other in the High Street at Southwold and both establishments are introducing a “fresh air policy” as part of a re-branding exercise.

By David Lennard

TWO of the region's top hotels have today launched a no-smoking policy for staff and guests.

The Swan Hotel and the Crown Hotel are situated within a few yards of each other in the High Street at Southwold and both establishments are introducing a “fresh air policy” as part of a re-branding exercise.

Both hotels have been owned by Adnams since the early 1990s and have annual refurbishment and development programmes.

This year bosses at the Southwold-based company, which also operates brewing and wine import businesses, decided it was time to review how the hotel brands looked.

Working with London agency Design Bridge and Norwich-based Fox Murphy, Adnams commissioned the re-design.

Brand manager Sharon Lovett said: “We wanted to develop unique brand identities which reflect the individual characters of each hotel at the same time as introducing a new Adnams Hotels brand that is consistent with all other areas of the Adnams business.

“Inspired by the coast, the new identities are fresh, contemporary and smart without being too regimented or formal.”

As part of the new look, Adnams has introduced a no-smoking policy so that guests can enjoy the fresh air of Southwold - along the rugged Suffolk coast - and inside the hotels.

The new policy has inspired the manager of the Swan Hotel, Francis Guildea, to give up smoking.

And the former 20-a-day man is confident that he will be able to break the habit.

“Coming to Southwold is invigorating and refreshing,” he said. “We want our guests to experience this during their time with us - whether the crisp linen sheets, or the fabulous food, wines and beer.

“We believe our fresh air policy will allow guests to encounter it all at its very best. I am determined to give up smoking and join the discovery of freshness.”

Mr Guildea said Adnams had carried out a lot of research before deciding to introduce the smoking ban at its hotels.

“We have listened to our customers and I am sure that this smoking ban will be appreciated,” he said.

The manager is also convinced that more hotels will follow the Adnams' lead in the future.

“There is little doubt that the hotel industry in general is seriously considering introducing similar proposals regarding smoking,” he added.

“At seminars up and down the country this is a serious topic for hotel owners to consider.”

Adnams public houses are not affected by the smoking ban being introduced at the two hotels.