On 13th July Bridget Prentice MP joined regulars at the Dacre Arms in Blackheath to help celebrate "Proud of Pubs" week.

                        

Bridget is one of more than 100 MPs visiting their local pubs during this national celebration being organised by The Publican magazine. She saw for herself the positive contribution that the Dacre Arms makes in its community, and discussed other issues such as the recent smoking ban.

Recent research carried out for The Publican underlines how many pubs transformed themselves before England's smoking ban began:

• More than eight out of ten pubs now welcome families with children.
• One in three pubs is laying on new entertainment following the smoking ban - including everything ranging from karaoke and beer festivals to video snail racing!
• 96% serve food after the smoking ban.
• Eight out of ten have an outside area, with eight out of ten of these pubs having a dedicated area for smokers.