Cheers! Scottish pub wins Best Smoking Area
Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 9:00 
Congratulations to Cheers Cafe, Bar and Tavern.
The multi-award winning Fraserburgh pub won Best Smoking Area 2013 at the Morning Advertiser's Great British Pub Awards in London on Thursday night.
I sat next to the owner, Dennis Forsyth, throughout dinner knowing that in my pocket was the following somewhat clunky citation:
For a fantastic smoking area which creates the indoors, outdoors, the winner of Best Smoking Area 2013 is ... Cheers Cafe, Bar and Tavern, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.
Dennis told me he bought Cheers after leaving the family business six or seven years ago. He has developed it to such an extent he intends to reclassify it as a hotel.
Best Smoking Area was the second of 17 awards to be presented. At the appropriate moment I had to leave our table and walk across the stage, shake hands with our host - comedian Greg Davies - read the citation and present the award to Dennis, his wife and two members of staff who had also made the long journey south.
As one of the judges I can reveal that Cheers was a clear winner and speaking to Dennis only confirmed we had made the right decision.
Unusually, perhaps, he seemed genuinely passionate about accommodating smokers who he estimated represent 50 per cent of his customers.
According to their website:
Cheers Café Bar boasts not one but three sheltered areas all of which can be used by smokers and have waterproof outside TV’s. The smallest one is located within a few feet of the main bar and is ideal for those smokers who want to nip out for a quick cigarette. Those customers who’d prefer to stay out longer can enjoy the new large heated outside area where a pool table is also located. Everyone is welcome to eat and drink in these areas. The large area (two canopies) contains very comfortable leather seating and nice outside dining furniture and bistro furniture ... A good range of cigars and cigarettes are available behind the bar.
Yesterday we issued the following statement:
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest which runs the Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign, said:
"We're delighted the award has gone to a pub that genuinely cares about the comfort of customers who want to smoke.
"The owners have done everything they can to make smokers feel welcome and very much part of the pub environment.
"It's good to see their business model rewarded at a time when so many smokers feel ostracised because of legislation designed to denormalise a habit enjoyed by millions of ordinary people."
Above: Yours truly with comedian Greg Davies (left), Dennis Forsyth (centre) and his team from Cheers Cafe, Bar and Tavern, Fraserburgh
Reader Comments (5)
Three cheers to the Cheers Cafe! Goodness me. Dennis Forsyth has gone above and beyond the call of duty on his wonderfully inviting pub and tavern – and so richly deserves his award. I’ve just been looking at the photographs’ of the three (yes three!) areas he has provided for the poor beleaguered smoker. I just wish there were some pubs in Nottingham that have had this foresight and empathy.
It looks just like any other ordinary pub that used to exist before the iniquitous ban.
Hip, hip hooray to Dennis Forsyth and his wife for this outstanding effort!
Indeed. Thanks Dennis. A reason to feel welcome in Scotland at last.
You're welcome Pat.
Would be interesting to see the accounts of pubs to compare the turnover of those that have made the effort to accommodate smokers and those that haven't.
Well done, 'Cheers'!
Why oh why can't more pubs do this. It would make me return!