New Cigar Website - SOON

[davidruddell]

I'm in the middle of setting up (with some like minded pals) a cigar based web site (NOT, I REPEAT NOT a forum, more of a campaigning theme)

One of the features on it will be a 'Where to smoke' section.

We're fully aware of H&F's sites offerings but we really want to cover the bases from the old boys pub with a bench and a patio heater, through to the more salubrious establishments.
We would of course be happy to work in conjunction with H&F if they would like.

We hope to include any and all local pubs / restaurants who cater for smokers as a whole, (they'd still apply to us as cigar smokers) as long as it's got some COSA facilities we'd like to list it.

We're also hoping to carry reviews with photographs of your local pubs and restaurants that have COSAs, and would love any suggestions you have to make.

The website/s are still a little way from fruition, but with our band of v talented volunteers we hope to have them up and running by Christmas this year.

The domains are all purchased, the names registered, and the content being written.

It's all been rather exciting, and as most good things stemmed from a conversation at a recent cigar herf with pals.

This is a learning experience for almost all involved in it (many different backrounds) but we're happy for anyone to contribute. If anyone from UKCF has any suggestions/ideas regarding this, or just want to know more feel free to PM me.


Note for Deano:

Happy to let you know the domain names to reassure you we're not in ANY way treading on your toes, (the name of the domain explains all!) but don't want them publicly known until we're closer to launch.

[senor_robusto]

hey dave,
not sure if it applies to northern ireland, if so, here's an ongoing list i've been compiling:

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showthread.php?t=5134

hope this helps.......

alex

[davidruddell]

It certainly does Alex , how would you like to be our NI correspondent?

[richgirling]

A fantastic idea David. Good luck with its launch.
Finally a legitimate excuse for going to pubs ?Darling I?m just popping out for some more research on David?s project?!!

[Lilyboo]

Sounds like it is going to be a very useful website! Look forward to it.

[moidoid]

Sounds great! I'd love to contribute some reviews when I try a venue.

[Pantomimehorse]

sounds like a great idea to me, Ive one or two suggestions for places in London I've found

[senor_robusto]

Today 11:27 AM
davidruddell It certainly does Alex , how would you like to be our NI correspondent?

hey dave, not sure if i can commit to being a 'northern ireland correspondent' since i don't lead a social enough life to justify it, lol!!!! however, i'd love to contribute photos and reviews when possible!!! also, i'm sure gary could add some stuff as well...... in fact anyone who finds somewhere worthwhile and wishes to share their experience should do so!!!!

all the best mate,

alex

[Simon-JG-hr]

Good work David! I'm sure it will be an excellent (and visually stunning) resource.

Best of luck, let us know when it's up.

As per the rest, I'd be happy to write bits for it if you wish.

[Watkins]

I'd be happy to help but not sure how I can, I'd like to be involved in the running of the actual site so if I can help out with that then let me know?
Dual ownership maybe?
Who knows just letting you know the offer is out there.

[jibjob79]

Sounds like a fun little exercise. Love to contribute when you are ready. If i can make some suggestions while you are still in the planning/tinkering stage, can you link the locations with google maps or something so that you can look geographically at an area rather than a list of sites in the south west for example and when you are ready show us an example or a template of the kind of information you are after. I have a few places i can think of off the top of my head that would be idea little smoking areas, maybe including a few photographs of menus and views as well as smoking dens, after all some of us need to trick our other half's and families the the rouse of going out for a meal instead of finding herf locations lol.

The google map thing is just a pet hate when im looking for dog walks and stuff from other websites, you look at an area, find the perfect one then find out it is at the other side of the county, much easier to visualise on a map rather than a list of addresses.

Good luck with your venture.

[davidruddell]

Thanks to all for the wishes and good ideas!

It all helps.

If you're interested in contributing that would be great, at the moment one of the (many) things we're trying to flesh out is a criteria for rating COSAs.

We were going to emulate the traditional out of 100 style rating, but what do you think that 100 should comprise of and what percentage split across those criteria.

Over to you fair BOTLs!

[jibjob79]

Not sure what should be included but my 2 pence is a check off list to include

smoking area
-size/capacity
-covered
-heated/can be used all year round etc
-quality of seating area

Cigars
-smoke your own or buy on premises/value for money/range/how well the cigars are stored

Other facilities
-food and drink/value for money/range
-family orientated
-cleanliness
-friendliness of staff
-parking

If i was to follow the 100 marking criteria i would keep it to the bare bones of the smoking area criteria (hard to compare venues if one has parking and one doesn't) and maybe 25 given to the feel of the place.

[davidruddell]

Good categories and ideas Jib, we'll happily use ideas like these.


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