All very sad

[Mike72]

I was in Bedford yesterday and went past Harrison & Simmonds. All their cigars have been packed away behind frosted glass. All branded pipe tobacco hidden in a cupboard and all loose tobacco now in "non see-through" jars. All because of the new laws. It's a sad state of affairs.

Big Brother banging on about all the lost taxes on "fake tobacco" but then punishing us like this. Do they want us to smoke or not? They can't have it both ways - even though it seems that's exactly what they want. [emoji17]

[Joss]

Do they want us to smoke or not? They can't have it both ways - even though it seems that's exactly what they want. [emoji17]

Oh yes they want us to smoke- they get around ?12 billion from excise duty + vat.

[cj121]

I was at Lands of Stratford Upon Avon on Thursday and they've just covered up. It's bloody awful

It was great just to stand and have a gawp at the selection of tins and loose tobacco, and of course the cigars, but no more. I did notice that the Samuel Gawith (or similar) loose pipe tobaccos are now in purpose supplied large cylindrical tins (4-5 litre size or so). Better than not seeing them at all, but it will never be the same again ay

[cigarmo]

What will happen to walk in humis like at cgars in chester?

[PeeJay]

What will happen to walk in humis like at cgars in chester?

They'll probably put self adhesive frosting on the windows

[Johnny Thunder]

They'll probably put self adhesive frosting on the windows

Exactly what my little local has done.

[cj121]

Yes, that's how Lands managed it too.

[cj121]

I'm sure we've talked about 'specialist' tobacco outlets and the way they've gone about it was to frost/blank out the windows, with internal arrangements being the same? Has anyone been to Londinium since this measure came in?

[cigarmo]

So once your in the room everything is just the same, why not just make the shop over 18 only so no kids can see

[Joss]

What will happen to walk in humis like at cgars in chester?

They've already blanked out their windows with coloured film.

[Robert747]

We have been very fortunate and have had to make very little change. It is one of the benefits of being classed as a 'specialist tobacco shop'. To be a 'specialist' at least 50% of your turnover must be in tobacco products, excluding cigarettes. With the new legislation relating to specialists, all tobacco must not be visible from the street. Once inside it is the usual restrictions only. Our shop design had most tobacco out of sight; our windows and visible displays (from the street) are showing humidors and general accessories. I am pleased because originally I had visions of all the windows being blacked out.

[PeeJay]

So not having been up there recently @Robert747, what have your two close rivals done?

[Robert747]

Actually I have not been to look yet, but I believe JJ have put something tasteful in place - they are fortunate in having a long quite narrow frontage. Davidoff have had more of an issue, being a corner site that is essentially all glass - I have heard they have done a good job though!

[Mike72]

Popped into Davidoff London on the weekend and they have blocked out their humidor with frosted vinal. Wonder if that means they do less than 50% of their turnover from tobacco and don't qualify or if they just went with the flow?

[Mike72]

I also went past Alfie Turners, Mayfair, and the front of the shop was totally blocked out with cardboard. I have in fact not been there before, so I don't know if it's new. Wonder if the shops are starting to notice a dip in turnover?