What the Sunday papers said

Despite a cooling economy and a slowdown in the residential property market in 2005 business property values continued to rise. According to a report by leading business property specialist Christie & Co the value of public houses gained 5.2 per cent last year and restaurant values grew 4.7 per cent. Around 34 packages of pubs changed hands last year, representing £5.4bn worth of deals. Although last year's rise in pub values was lower than 2004's 9.2 per cent increase, the demand for freeholds - which are in short supply - and the resulting increasing interest in acquiring leaseholds, mean values are likely to rise again in 2006. - The Business​

Following bad news from UK high street retailers comes news of the biggest ever increase in energy bills. Five out of six major energy suppliers have already increased their domestic prices this year, with British Gas upping its prices by 22 per cent. With household fuel bills up £1.9bn last year, that's £1.9bn less for UK consumers to spend on the high street. This year could be worse, and problems stemming from the rising cost of energy may be compounded by increasing costs in other areas, such as council tax. There are also signs that wage growth is slowing and unemployment may be on the rise. If this were to happen, a nasty downturn could loom and energy costs would bear a large part of the blame. - Observer​

Gay bars which exclude straight customers risk prosecution under new laws designed to protect homosexuals from discrimination. Under regulations to be published next month, it will be illegal for a gay bar, pub or club to exclude anyone on the grounds of sexual orientation. However, such establishments would legitimately be able to turn away those whom they thought might be seeking entry in order to cause trouble. - Sunday Times​

Thousands of American Express cardholders have been stranded at cash tills as they try to use their cards to pay for purchases, all because their cards are not yet chip and PIN enabled. An estimated 300,000 UK AmEx cardholders have been told to wait until their current card expires before they will be sent the new card. This could leave some waiting up to two years. - Mail On Sunday​

New allegations of wrongoing at failed off-licence Unwins are to be investigated by accountants KPMG. The accountancy firm told Unwin creditors last week it was investigating deals where assets were sold for less than their true value, as well as the attempted spin-off of ten shops from the group shortly before its December 19 collapse. - Mail On Sunday​