LOW TONE: Property tycoon Sir Bob Jones has demanded the removal of poker machines and the TAB from the pub in the Old Bailey in one of his Lambton Quay properties because he doesn't like the tone they set.

Property tycoon Sir Bob Jones has demanded the removal of poker machines and the TAB from a pub in one of his Lambton Quay properties because he doesn't like the tone they set.

The removal of the pokies and the TAB were among the conditions he insisted on when the Trinity Group's lease on the Occidental bar came up for renewal.

Sir Bob said he was particular about the sorts of tenants he wanted in the ground floor of his commercial buildings and, as far as he was concerned, "pokies are just a tax on the stupid, which tends to be a tax on the poor".

He also insisted that the pub be renamed the Old Bailey to tie in with his renaming of the building from Sybase House to Legal House.

He did not have strong objections to the TAB having outlets elsewhere, because "betting is age-old and brings pleasure to people", he said.

"But sitting in front of a machine and pulling a lever or pushing a button attracts a certain type."

Trinity Group was caught by surprise but reluctantly accepted the demand to remove its 18 pokies and the TAB outlet, managing director Jeremy Smith said.

"We negotiated and decided we'd rather stay in the building and have a good relationship, rather than fight with the landlord."

However, the hotel would have to find another $5000 to $6000 a week in turnover to compensate for the loss of the machines.

Coincidentally, the TAB is closing one of its offices situated at another of Sir Bob's properties on the corner of Featherston and Brandon streets.

TAB spokesman John Mitchell said it was not able to agree on terms when the lease came up for renewal. The branch would close tomorrow and the TAB was looking to enlarge its operation at Wellington railway station.