SMOKING will be banned on the street outside pubs and cafes in the town centre, if new guidelines published by Barnsley Council are adopted.
It is thought the town could become the first in the country to accept the hard-line approach.
Failure to obey the new regulations would lead to landlords and cafe owners having their £250-a-year street cafe licence, which allows them to serve alcohol on the pavement outside their premises, revoked.
A council document entitled 'Guidelines for street cafes: Barnsley town centre', states: "As of April 1 the licensed cafe area will be a no smoking area.
"It will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that customers are reminded of this. If it is noted that on three separate occasions customers are witnessed to be smoking, then the licence will be revoked."
Drinkers would still be allowed to smoke outside pubs in private beer gardens.
But shocked licensees think the move is a step too far.
• Full story in this week's Chronicle.
