“I know of bars that are down by as much as 50 per cent,” he said.

“I would suggest there has been at least 20 per cent across the board.”

Mr Hennessy said with all the other legislation that was targeting the hospitality industry, such as the Holidays Act, many suburban and rural pubs may be forced to close.

O’Malley’s Irish Bar in Rotorua has also been feeling the effects of the legislation. Owner Terry Meagher said the bar’s revenue had been down by about 20 per cent and many other bar owners were experiencing the same thing.

He said O’Malley’s had been closing earlier during the weeknights because people were simply choosing to go home rather than stand outside and smoke – especially in the winter.

Some clubs claim to have lost about $150,000.

Source: The Daily Post. Link

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