Band will go outdoors to entertain smokers (From Swindon Advertiser)

11:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2007

THE amp has been plugged in, the sound checks done and the vocals warmed up.

So where are the punters?

That is the dilemma facing Debbie Sharpe at the Moonrakers pub, in Cricklade Road, and so she is taking the music to the people.

Drinkers can expect a musical commotion next Friday.

In the car park for the first time the covers band Locomotion will play a two-hour gig for the benefit of smokers.

It is an unprecedented move by licensee Debbie to bring customers and entertainers back together.

"Since the smoking ban came in we have had a real hard time getting crowds for the acts," said Debbie.

"Our clientele enjoy smoking a lot and they tend to buy a pint and then head into the car park.

"It means the groups kick off their songs and there are only a handful of people inside."

So Debbie, 41, has applied for a licence to remedy that.

"We decided the best way was to move the music out to them," she said.

"We have got permission to have them on stage outside between 8.30pm and 10.30pm on Friday, September 28.

"It won't go on too late but it should be popular, there's room in the car park for at least 400 people.

"Even if there are only 50 or 60, it means the customers can get a taste of what they're missing."

The smoking ban, on July 1, coming in the middle of summer, made it easy for smoking customers to switch their drinking habits to outdoors.

But as the colder weather takes hold Debbie is worried that customers may decide to stay at home.

"I have seen people voting with their feet, going outside rather than staying inside without a cigarette," she said.

"It's not too unreasonable to think they might stay at home this winter with their own alcohol so that they can smoke in comfort.

"This is why we are working to make the gigs a success, so that people can see there is more going on than just drinking."

As an experienced local band Locomotion will be sure to play a good set.

"They have appeared here many times before and they know what people want," Debbie said.

"We have the chance to put on 12 of these events each year so if it's a success we will probably repeat it.

"I think it's a great idea, but it's over to the customers now."

Entrance to the pub is free, as it is for all the Friday gigs.

For more information contact the Moonrakers on 01793 721017.

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