Cnapan Guest House and Restaurant, Newport

Flash in the pan…?
not this Cnapan

Cnapan is the archaic Pembrokeshire sport which vaguely resembles some modern versions of football. The Cnapan on today’s menu however is the exceptional small hotel and restaurant situated in the heart of the attractive medieval coastal town of Newport Pembs, halfway between Fishguard and Cardigan.

Not only has this fine establishment appeared in the highly respected Good Food and Hotel Guides without fail for the past twenty years, it is now in its second calendar year as a smoke-free establishment.

At any given time about eighty five percent of the guests will be repeats, and owners, Judith and Michael Cooper, took the unusual step of writing on the Cnapan menus and outside menu display of their plans to go totally smoke-free in six month's time so giving their customers plenty of notice of their new policy so as not to surprise anyone. It certainly worked as their customers have been incredibly supportive, numbers have continued to rise and the business is busier than ever.

Michael Cooper said, “Our dining room had been smoke-free for over twenty years but we did allow smoking in the bar area and sitting room. We took the plunge last August and banned smoking through the remaining areas and we haven’t looked back since. As far as I’m concerned, the sooner the better the ban comes into force. We have five letting rooms and apart from the odd furtive cigarette found down the toilet the ban has been a total success. I think people now understand the trend and have learnt to accept it.

“We also have ten staff on our books and I think it only fair they should no longer be subjected to the second-hand smoke of others. The vast majority of Cnapan customers who do enjoy a cigarette, have also been equally supportive of our new policy and accept the fact smoking will be banned in all eating establishments sooner or later.