When Britain enacted a smoking ban, pubs spent millions of pounds on patio heaters so smokers could go outside without freezing. But now:
Britain's growing café culture and taste for alfresco drinking and dining may be under threat from MEPs who want to ban the patio heater.
A vote in Brussels today is expected to call on the European Commission to abolish the heaters to help to tackle climate change. Such a move could cost the pub and catering trade dear.
It would be nice if Britain would tell Brussels it could stick this proposal the same place it could put its Euros. But this is the country that has decided to change the term "Islamic terrorism" to "anti-Islamic activity."
