Bonham appointed IFBB chairman
The Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), the trade body for family brewers, has a new chairman - Tim Bonham. Previous chairman Anthony Fuller, chairman of Fuller's, is moving to a new role of vice president with the Brewers of Europe. Bonham said: 'We will be refocusing our efforts to respond to the immense changes we have seen in the industry. In future, IFBB will become an issues-led organisation which will work to promote the long-term interests of the independent British regional brewing companies.'
Provence boss sets up another pubco
Provence boss Paul Kiely has set up a new pub company - Countrywide Inns. The company, which observers believe may be a managed arm, was incorporated at the end of September with Kiely's brother Peter as its secretary. The company is advertising for 'talented, dedicated, hands-on pub operators in local pubs, country food-led outlets and town-centre venues'. The company adds: 'Recent acquisitions have created immediate opportunities for commercially focused managers in a range of locations.'
Police praise 47-yr stretch of no trouble
A Bexley licensee has been recognised by local police for running his local for 47 years without any trouble. Leonard Smith at the Royal Oak, Bexley, has just entered the third era of licensing since he bought his pub in 1958. Smith said: 'It's frightening to think how long I've been here, but I've got a nice lot of customers and I keep it that way. They wanted to present me with the form because I've never had to call the police.'
Three pubs auctioned for over £4m each
Three former Spirit freehold pubs now tenanted by Tattershall Castle Group have been sold at a London auction for more than £4m each. The Rat & Parrot in Harrow, Middlesex, sold for £4.835m thanks to a rent of £262,721pa. The King & Queen in Marlborough Place, Brighton, sold for £4.35m (annual rent of £240,589). Square in Fishergate, Brighton, sold for £4.480m (annual rent of £248,634). The vendor is believed to be Prestbury, which bought 200 pubs from Spirit in March 2004.
Smoking ban policy will change: Anand
Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand is convinced the current Government policy in England and Wales on the smoking ban will change before it becomes law. He said: 'I think we probably haven't had the final roll of the dice in terms of the final end game.' Anand insisted, however, that Greene King was well-prepared for the ban in Scotland with an average spend of £6,000 per pub at its 278 Belhaven sites. Turnover was up 19% to £359m with profit before tax up 23% to £55.8m in the 24 weeks to 16 October.