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Dave West, who owns Abracadabra in Jermyn Street, enjoys a smoke in his club |
Mayfair nightclub boss set to take on smoking ‘fun-busters’
Abracadabra owner vows to take fight to High Court in bid to beat the ban
A NIGHTCLUB owner in Mayfair is challenging the smoking ban by allowing customers to light up at his tables.
Dave West, who owns Abracadabra in Jermyn Street, says the ban is an infringement of civil liberties.
He is taking his battle to the Court of Appeal in what promises to be a high-profile case.
The former barrow boy from Romford, known in Mayfair for his snappy pink suits, is to be represented by Bayswater resident Cherie Blair QC – wife of Tony, the architect of the controversial legislation.
Mr West, who bought the Mayfair establishment where waitresses dress in nurses’ uniform and wear suspenders, said: “This is an infringement of my civil liberties and human rights and that’s how we’re going to fight it.
“If we don’t take a stand there is no telling what else they will ban. I will not go and stand outside and smoke – it is degrading. We have had support from all around the country.”
He added: “If we lose in the High Court, then it’ll go to the Court of Appeal, then it’ll go to the House of Lords and then, finally, we’ll take it to the European Parliament.”
A petition has already drawn 31,000 signatures, according to Mr West, who believes a political party could be born out of the smoking ban outrage.
He said: “We’d call it the Civil Liberties Party and the colour would be pink.
“I have been smoking all my life and I don’t believe it harms you. There is no evidence – if there was they would ban the import and manufacture. It’s all about tax. I won’t die of cancer, I’ll die of heart failure because it’s hereditary.”
Mr West hit out at government “fun-busters”.
He added: “Russia has just come out of 90 years of Communism and we are about to go into it. You hear about Gordon Brown talking about his Presbyterian upbringing – you know what that’s about? No fun. Westminster Council are the master fun-busters – they would like to close every pub in the West End.”
Mr West is yet to receive a visit from Westminster smoking inspectors and said he was prepared for a fight to the death.
A spokesman for the council said: “Anyone found in breach of the ban can expect to hear from us soon.” |
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