Rare Earths Share Discussion Threads

[isis] 18/6/2008 20:07

jeffian - I have to agree with you on the second point with regard to the Management - they backed the no-smoking policy and by doing so signed their own death warrant, as well as all their shareholders!

[jeffian] 18/6/2008 20:01

"your hatred of smokers"? I don't think I've expressed a view, have I?

"they plainly say that the smoking ban is one of the main causes of their demise". Well, they would, wouldn't they? Last time it was 'England's exit from the World Cup'. It beats saying 'we've been a basket-case for years, rescued from Liquidation once and in permanent 'talks' with someone or other ever since while the underlying business continues to go nowhere'.

Your obsession with smoking is one thing. The management of REG is something else.

Regards, Ian

[isis] 18/6/2008 19:48

Quite the contrary - it is your hatred of smokers that is clouding your investment view - they plainly say that the smoking ban is one of the main causes of their demise:-

'As stated in the announcement on 5 February 2008 of the interim results of the Company for
the 26 weeks ended 29 December 2007, the
Company continues to face the immediate challenges to the sector presented by the smoking ban'

[jeffian] 18/6/2008 19:42

As themariner says above, "180p - 10p says it all" about REG and nothing about smoking. You're letting your personal hang-ups get in the way of a bb thread about investment. And it's not very interesting.

Regards, Ian

[isis] 18/6/2008 19:06

180p - 10p says it all - got alight thanks? :-))

The way NS's go on is as if they were actually asked whether they minded - they never fekin were.

[jeffian] 18/6/2008 19:05

Gawd Almighty, isis. Buy BAT and get a life!

[isis] 18/6/2008 18:36

You still never answered my question about non-smoking and smoking bars and you have the cheek to call smokers selfish when you refuse them their own Pubs and Clubs.
The reason is you know damn well your's would get screwed!

[themariner] 18/6/2008 18:27

I don't want to ban drinking any more then I want to ban smoking or any other form of drug taking. I take the view that mankind has forever used all sorts of ways to inebriate or otherwise alter himself and find it frankly bizarre that we find ourselves somehow seperating smoking and alcohol as completely acceptable and legal. It should all be legal. The we could have a grown up debate about some regulation.

The difference between smoking and most other forms of drug taking is that it is uniquely selfish - those in the vacinity suffer and it is no more valid carping on about so called smokers "rights" to harm others than it is to claim "rights" to harm people in other ways. I have no right to drizzle poison on your food and then say "well, you should just eat somewhere else" do I?

As for smoke/smoke free pubs. I did think this was possible but soon changed my mind. The fact is it's a myth that the whole trade was against the ban. There were several "front" organisations (funded by tobacco) that tried to create that impression, but opinion was far more evenly split. I do think that busineses should be able to choose their customers but I also believe that "if it harms other people", a democracy has a right to intervene and reluctantly impose a majority will. Remember too that the ban is supported by the vast majority of the general public and I'd go so far as to speculate that if a reversal of the ban was to even be mooted, there would be a huge outcry.

I also believe that if smokers had actually listened to public opinion, and adapted their behaviour (perhaps by smoking less around others, or maybe voluntarily not smoking in restaurants, or (shock horror) even ASKING nearby people if they minded them smoking) to what was clearly a large swing in opinion on this, that we might not have even had a ban. Instead, the more the public supported a change, the more shrill and uncompromising became the "smokers rights" lobby. Face it, its rude, selfish and inconsiderate to smoke around others and saying "its my right" is just like saying "its my right" to be selfish, inconsiderate and rude" to other people.

[isis] 18/6/2008 09:08

the mariner - do you agree that they should have Smoking and non-smoking Pubs?
Thereby allowing a legal substance to be enjoyed by those who wish to in the Company of others who also enjoy a smoke and a Drink?

You could also ban Drinking if you class Alcohol as a drug.

There is no doubt in my mind that the smoking ban has led to the position many Pubs find themselves in now - call it Social Engineering if you like, but let's not be in denial here.

[themariner] 17/6/2008 11:57

Actually, I think the decline/closure of so many pus has been inevitable for ages. Did you not witness the massive and completely unsustainable boom in pub numbers throughout the 90's (many thousands of pubs opened, many in old bank premises and the like). Every idiot whith spare time and a bit of cash thought they could open one! This is just a re-adjustment back to equilibrium - and a welcome one at that for many of us actually in the trade. Yes, if there is an overshooting that may be a source of regret in terms of one's subjective opinion (i.e. it's nice to have pubs everywhere).

As for liberalism and smoking/drug taking. I'm delighted its legal. I'd even bring back tobacco advertising. If some people want to go to a shop, buy drugs that they know will likely send them to an earlier grave than the rest of us - great. It's not so much survival of the fittest, more non-survival (or earlier death) of the stupid, which I'm greaty in favour of. I just feel strongly that so called smoking is almost uniquely a "selfish" drug - you share your drugs with those around you and I don't understand these rather shrill whines that somehow this should be allowed. Smoke yourself to death by all means, just don't force it (and I mean ANY drug) on others against their will and don't make US avoid the places we like to accommodate the selfish and/or the addicted.

As for Regent Inns - if you look at the history of this thread you will see i happened to be calling the demise of this company for YEARS. I literally kept yelling "the music will stop for this company someday"! And it's got absolutely sod all to do with smoking, it's everything to do with bad management and broken business models.

Do I think it's undervalued now - yes, and the solution is a break up (IMHO). But with the crunch, it's almost but not completely unfundable.

You know I was actually asked to lead a management buy IN of the comedy clubs a while back, by a reputable and fundable group of investors. I looked good and hard at it and turned it down. I concluded it would be cheaper and easier to build a fresh (and smaller) chain, in the correct (i.e. NON high st) locations and with the RIGHT bar brand/eatery attached (not RISA).

Even before this, I sought and secured a meeting with the former MD of Regent - and offered my help on the entertainment. The response - "you must be joking, we don't need your help". 6 months later he was removed.

I may still do my own chain, depending on the outcome of all these talks. But I'm pretty busy with other businesses.

[audereestfacere] 17/6/2008 11:31

Smoking is legal in a part of the Palace of Westminster (UK Parliament Building) and also in a part of the European Parliament - legislators do not like the draconian laws that they pass applying to them.

[isis] 16/6/2008 12:16

Many Pubs still empty even though it's Summer.
This is doomed.

[isis] 13/6/2008 16:03

You should have smoking and non-smoking Pubs - end of story - agreed?

You do not sound very Liberal to me.

Anyway 2000 Pubs shut in England since July 2007 - stick that up your Nostrils.

btw - smoking is already legal, but you'd think it wasn't the way people like yourself carry on.
I think the share price of this Company tells the real Story 180p - 10p in 1 year.

[isis] 12/6/2008 19:23

That's why they're going bust you moron! LOL

'Like the Irish example smoking Brits have adapted to our ban by partying at home. Those that do go out are spending the firstpart of the evening at home 'pre-loading' on volume-'units' of Asda's finest grog before hitting the town already sozzled. They then spend little cash as they drift between pubs to light up in between.

As most publicans are acutely aware the end result is a big hole in your takings. With pubs closing in frightening numbers it's not much comfort to know that the whole idea is flawed, with the likelihood of increasing numbers in the UK smoking population. Socially devisive and pointless, utterly pointless. When will they learn to just leave us all alone?'

[audereestfacere] 12/6/2008 12:08

Looks like the supposed offers for REG have gone 'walkabout'.

[isis] 05/6/2008 16:56

Don't get Bitter, get Pimms No.1!

I believe the Management supported the smoking ban signing the Companies death warrant - I'm sure it will be blamed squarely on something else though.
I do like a smoke with a drink and I can tell you that most smokers I know do not frequent the Pub as nearly as much as we used to for that sole smoking ban reason.

[brownan] 05/6/2008 16:19

I pulled out of this a few days ago, got fed up with waiting and too a loss. Have made most of it back on JRVS and would consider buying back if news comes soon. This may mean I miss a big jump though. Good luck to long term holders, I wish you all well

[demandred] 05/6/2008 12:40

Bidders obviously finding it difficult to raise the £1 per share price that REG are asking!! lol

[sscrabble] 05/6/2008 12:07

RNS Number : 0597W
Regent Inns PLC
05 June 2008




5 June 2008


Regent Inns plc

Offer Update


The Board of Regent Inns plc ('Regent Inns' or the 'Company') notes the recent fall in the Company's share price.


Regent Inns confirms that it is continues to be in discussions that may or may not lead to an offer for the entire issued share capital of the Company. However, due to global credit conditions and the difficulties in obtaining the necessary financing these discussions are taking longer than anticipated.


Further announcements will be made on the progress of these discussions as appropriate.