The Pipe Shop

Strangling the golden goose?

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:48:03 +0100

Once again we have weathered another Budget. Actually, it wasn’t quite so bad this time. But with the government ‘Duty Escalator’ set at 2% above inflation, it still means a 50p increase on hand rolling tobacco, 30p on an average packet of cigarettes and 30p on pipe tobacco. It also means a substantial increase in revenue for organised criminal gangs, smugglers and counterfeiters, as hard pressed UK smokers seek cheaper alternatives to high street retailers.

The Government own figures point to this trend, with national sales of cigarettes down by nearly 7%, cigars down by a similar amount and pipe tobacco down by a hefty 15%. As expected, hand rolling tobacco consumption rose 15.9%, reflecting the trend away from cigarettes.

At this rate the governments £14 billion annual income from smokers is looking increasingly unsustainable.

One thing I missed in the budget is a new duty on all herbal tobacco due January 1st 2014. This will mean product like Greengo, which contains hazel leaf, papaya, mint and eucalyptus, will be taxed in the same way as tobacco, even though they do not contain nicotine.

If we are going to tax such innocuous plants, will we see a duty on potato’s, tomato’s and aubergines that do contain nicotine?

Anti-plain tobacco pack lobby targets MPs

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:31:13 +0000

Anti-plain tobacco pack lobby targets MPs

The rise and rise of the e-cigarette

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:24:02 +0000

Sales of e-cigarettes have been rising steadily for the past 18 months as cigarette smokers seek an alternative to tobacco that can be smoked indoors. With this is mind we adding to our range with the Ego Ce6 starter kits pictured above.

The kit costs £29.95 for 650ma battery version and £34.95 for the longer lasting 1100ma. Comes complete with two e-cigarettes, a USB charger, Wall charger and e-liquid dispenser. The high quality 10ml E-Juice are £3.50 each or 3 for £10.

Merry Christmas!

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:24:07 +0000

We wish everyone a peaceful holiday with lots of love and laughter.

Our opening hours over Christmas are: Christmas Eve open 9 to 5 ish, 25th-27th closed, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th open. New Years Eve open 9 to 5, New Years Day closed. Wednesday 2nd January normal opening hours (ie 5 mins late as usual!)

One of our well stocked humidors.

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 17:07:39 +0000

One of our well stocked humidors.

Do you stock Cuban cigars?

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:45:52 +0000

We are quite often asked this question, especially near Christmas. Our current range is (take a deep breath) Cohiba Siglo I, II, III and VI, Cohiba Robusto, Cohiba BHK52, Montecristo No. 2, 3, 4, 5, Montecristo Petit Tubos, Edmundo and Montecristo OPEN Master, Romeo y Julieta Churchills, Short Churchill, Wide Churchill, and No. 2, 3 and Petit Julietas, Trindad Reyes, Partagas Serie P No.2, Partagas Serie D No.4, Punch Petit Coronations and Punch Punch, Bolivar Royal Coronas, Bolivar No.1 and 2, Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No.2, Jose L. Piedra Cazadores and Petit Cazadores, Quintero, Guantanamera Cristales, Compay and Minutos.

All our cigars are available singly, prices starting at £3.80, going all the way up to £32.95 for Cohiba Siglo VI.

Any Cuban cigars that we do not have in stock we can usually order in within 24-48 hours.

More Auld Kendal tobacco

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:29:29 +0000

We are now stocking Auld Kendal Gold ‘coffee caramel’ hand rolling tobacco. Perfect with that early morning cuppa….

Thanks to one of our lovely customers, we have a freshly painted...

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:27:07 +0100

Thanks to one of our lovely customers, we have a freshly painted shop.

Hands Off Our Packs! | Over 235,000 petition against plain packaging

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:59:59 +0100

Hands Off Our Packs! | Over 235,000 petition against plain packaging:

Lets hope that for once good old fashioned common sense will prevail…

This is what it feels like running a tobacconist in the UK with...

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 22:24:57 +0100

This is what it feels like running a tobacconist in the UK with all the government legislation.

Amaretto is back

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:16:47 +0100

Due to increased demand Golden Blend Amaretto pipe tobacco is back on the shelves. We are glad it is back as it is one of our favourites to weigh out due to its wonderful aroma. Also reinstated are 50g tins of Peterson Sweet Killarney, Dunhill Royal Yacht and Planta Black Vanilla.

Forest - Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:04:40 +0100

Forest - Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco:

If you don’t like the governments latest idea of so called plain packaging for all packets of cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars, sign the internet petition against it.

Auld Kendal Gold Chocolate.

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:46:17 +0100

Calling all chocoholics! Auld Kendal Gold chocolate flavoured hand rolling tobacco now in stock. Early signs are encouraging with customers experimenting with their own blends. Chocolate and banana seems a popular choice.

New hand rolling tobaccos

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:59:45 +0100

Mc Barens have got us excited with their latest flavoured hand rolling tobaccos. We are stocking all three cocktail flavours: Cosmopolitan, Singapore Sling and Pina Colada. All come attractively packaged in 30g pouches for £8.40 and have good strong flavours and fine aromas. They will also be available loose, in weights from 5g.

Imco lighters

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:32:43 +0100

If you are a big fan of the Imco CIP pipe lighter, or the classic petrol combi lighter (originally made from a first world war bullet design) make sure you buy a spare or two now, as the factory which has been making these lighters for the past 94 years has unexpectedly closed. We managed to order a couple of trays of each just after hearing the news, but further supplies are unlikely.

New shag tobacco

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:19:11 +0100

With the price of hand rolling tobacco going up alarmingly, many people are turning to the much cheaper thin cut pipe or shag tobacco. A new Virginia tobacco, disrespectfully referred to in the trade as ‘Lucky Shag’ is selling well, priced at £9.68 for 50g.

20% discount on selected cigars

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:57:39 +0100

Thanks to our Specialist in Havanas status, we are now able to offer 20% discount on the following cigars - Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill, Punch Petit Coronations and Romeo y Julieta No.3. Available this month or while stocks last.

Bank Holiday

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:24:09 +0100

Were’re skiving off on Monday for the Bank holiday, but will be back on Tuesday at 9amish. Hope you all have a good one!

Matchless e-cigarettes

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:37:48 +0100

We’ve been stocking Matchless disposable electronic cigarettes for about 6 months now and are pleased to report a rechargeable version is now available. The kit comes with electronic cigarette, two cartridges and a USB charger for £13.99. Extra cartridges are £6.49 for a pack of 5. Each cartridge gives about 300 puffs, which is equivalent to about 25-30 cigarettes.

Are they are good idea? Certainly those who are already using them seem to think so, reporting a large drop in their tobacco consumption and naturally, the government have given them the thumbs up. It is interesting to note however, that the UK is the only country where they legal - all other countries banning their use pending further testing.

It is now getting very silly

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:32:27 +0100

Returning from a two week holiday I see that supermarkets (and all shops over 3000sq feet) are now observing the governments latest idea on covering up tobacco products or “going dark” as it is know in the trade. We are told this is to stop young people from smoking. If anything, I think hiding things away makes them more attractive to young people.

Surprisingly, these draconian rules also apply to wholesalers. On my last visit the tobacco section was hidden from view by black curtains and any tobacco chosen was bundled into black bin liners so my deadly cargo could not be seen on the way to the checkout.

The legislation won’t stop here though. Already talks are underway on ”plain packaging” and by April 2015 all small shops will have to cover up any tobacco products.

Hopefully by then the government will run out of legislation and pick on something else!