Home Office minister Hazel Blears praised the effectiveness of Workington's Pubwatch scheme in the House of Commons. Speaking in reply to a question from Workington MP Tony Cunningham, Blears said the scheme was "strong" and urged the town to run for the Safer Business Award.
Castle earns beer group certificate
The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group has handed out its first certificate of excellence of the year to the Castle in West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill. Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas nominated the pub and praised it for its atmosphere, food and beer.
Pensioner thrown out of JDW site
A pensioner was thrown out of a JD Wetherspoon outlet in Macclesfield after enjoying a meal because she was wearing tracksuit bottoms. Volunteer worker Glenys Steele, who had been to the gym beforehand, was asked to leave the Society Rooms in Park Green. Staff said they could not serve anybody wearing a baseball cap or tracksuit. When she complained to head office she received a £10 voucher. JDW is probing the case.
Glass ban sought for Arsenal pubs
Police are urging pubs around Arsenal's Highbury football stadium to serve drinks in plastic glasses in a bid to cut attacks. Superintendent Mark Terry said that the measure need not be a blanket ban on glass but should be implemented for two or three key games.
Camra launches mild campaign
The Campaign for Real Ale has launched a Wild About Mild campaign to encourage licensees to stock at least one mild in May. The focus of the month will centre on National Mild Day on 7 May. For a free promotional pack call 01727 867201.
Uni studies link genes to drinking
The amount of alcohol people drink could be genetic according to a new study from academics at Bristol and Oxford Universities. Researchers found that a variation of a key gene that controls chemical signalling in the brain, was strongly associated with alcohol consumption. Those without the gene might derive less pleasure from alcohol and drink less, they said.