Nelson's bar in Gosport High Street was one of the first venues in Hampshire to switch to using polycarbonate 'glasses' when it started serving drinks in them in August 2007.

The move was made in a bid to stop people being glassed – injured in a glass attack – but now loss of trade has forced the pub to revert to using proper glasses again.

Owner Arthur Caraccio said: 'We have had to change back because we lost trade.

'When we went over to polycarbonate we were told all High Street venues were being made to do it, so we said we would be happy to.

'We went the whole hog – bottles as well. Within a matter of weeks the daytime trade had dropped and people were coming in much later in the evenings too.

'Customers said they didn't like drinking out of plastic. If everywhere had done it, they wouldn't have the option.

'We got the best quality polycarbonate on the market, they cost twice as much as a normal glass but they don't hold a head as well and people think the beer's not as good.'

It cost Nelson's about £1,000 for the changeover.

Mr Caraccio added: 'Trade has picked up since we brought glass back. We've kept the plastic bottles, though, because we share stock with the nightclub upstairs and that's remaining all plastic. We are very safety- conscious and have a minimum of three door staff on every night except Monday.'

The initial move to plastic at Nelson's followed an attack at the pub in 2005 when drinker Antony Cardy was scarred for life after a glass was smashed in his face.

Mr Cardy, 22, of Bury Road, Gosport, needed 56 stitches in his face as a result of the beating.

He said: 'This is a knock-back for the campaign to get plastic in every pub. Busy pubs like Wetherspoons and Nelson's should definitely be all plastic.

'That's where all the heavy drinking goes on when people are in groups.

'There's no point in having plastic bottles if you have glass as well. They aren't thinking about the safety of their customers.'