What the Sunday papers said

Fortune Brands, the US conglomerate which counts Jim Beam bourbon among its portfolio of spirits brands, has appointed investment bank CSFB, to target acquisitions in the European drinks industry. Moves by Fortune could include participating in a possible £6.5 bn bid for Allied Domecq. Fortune is keen to expand its presence in Europe, and has briefed CSFB to explore a range of takeover opportunities - The Sunday Times​

The long running feud between traditionalists running London brewer Young's and the hard-headed City people at Guinness Peat Group is drawing to a close. Many will miss the annual entertainment at the AGM, with GPG demanding changes to boost value for shareholders, only to be shouted down by irascible chairman Sir John Young. The regeneration proposals for Wandsworth, which could see the Young's brewery site redeveloped and production moved elsewhere, would deliver the value GPG has been seeking - The Mail on Sunday ​ Tory leader Michael Howard is ready to kill the controversial Gambling Bill, in a move that will spread panic among gambling firms and hit their already shaky share prices. Key shadow cabinet members are telling him to refuse to back the government's measure in a move which they hope will see him undermine Labour before next month's election. The bill requires opposition support or it will run out of time, as Thursday is expected to be the last day parliament sits - The Observer​

Drinkers in city centre pubs and clubs will see an end to 'happy hour' discounts if MPs get their way this week. The Home Affairs select committee is set to call for a minimum pricing policy for all alcoholic drinks sold at 'super-pubs' and clubs in a bid to curb binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. The committee will also call for a levy on the trade to pay for extra policing costs - The Sunday Express ​

British Waterways, which has gone into partnership with Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises to develop waterside pubs, has suffered a stinging attack from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A new report indicates that BW is not focusing on its core task, and highlights a conflict between its public role and its growing commercial interests in property and marina businesses - The Observer​

Soho House, the media equivalent of a working men's club, is raising £15m from investors including Gavyn Davies, the former BBC chairman and erstwhile Goldman Sachs partner. The club, famous for its celebrity clientele, hopes that the money raised will allow it to expand overseas, according to Nick Jones, its founder, who is married to Kirsty Young, the newsreader. Soho House already has ventures in Soho and Notting Hill in London, as well as Somerset and New York - Sunday Telegraph ​