The Sunday Times
- Whitbread has held secret talks with all three bidders in the Scottish & Newcastle pub auction to buy the Premier Lodge budget hotel chain. Neither Laurel nor Spirit would want to keep the Permier Lodge business, for which David Thomas, chief executive of Whitbread, is prepared to offer up to £500m.
- The Government's interim analytical report on alcohol abuse, due to be published this week, is likely to lead to an extensive public education campaign encouraging a more sensible approach to drinking.
The Independent on Sunday Drinks giant Allied Domecq will this week begin takeover talks with Australian wine producer Peter Lehann wines. The UK company is the biggest shareholder in Lehmann, which has greed a takeover by Swiss rival Hess.
The Business US Bourbon exports have increased by 62 per cent over the past ten years, with sales up by 373 per cent in Britain. Premiumm boutique bourbons such as Makers Mark have helped the spirits shake off its downmarket image.
The Sunday Express Simon Theakston, chairman of the family brewery newly reacquired from Scottish Courage, does not plan wholesale changes to the business. He said: "This is a mature industry and things don't change much. I don't think trying gimmicks would be sensible at all."
Scientists have identified a "Faliraki" gene which may explain binge-drinking habits in young people.
The discovery, which is named after the rowdy Greek holiday hotspot, could help experts come up with new treatments for alcoholism.
The Observer The Mean Fiddler Music Group is set for a £3.15million windfall following a compensation settlement with Islington Council over the compulsory purchase of its London music venue The Complex, and the sale of its AM radio station Mean Country.
The Sunday Telegraph Asian film mogul Sharad Patel is to develop a £120, Bollywood-themed leisure and shopping complex in Brentwood, north London. Described as a leisure experience like Ceaser's Palace in Ls Vegas, it will include a five-star hotel, restaurants, and live music.
The Mail on Sunday Labour MP Helen Clark has signed a Commons motion on binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. The paper points out that Ms Clarke's local paper has featured accounts of boisterous evenings in restaurants, and the MP is also a familiar figure in commons bars.