NewsDigest
Scottish & Newcastle UK (S&NUK) will close the bottling plant at its Dunston brewery in Gateshead on 16 February 2007 with the loss of 66 jobs. Newcastle Brown Ale will continue to be brewed at the site but the kegging operation will now also be reviewed. The decision follows the success of Newcastle Brown Ale in non-returnable bottles.
The Sustainable Communities Bill will receive its second reading in the House of Commons on 19 January. If passed as law, the Bill will help communities delay change of use applications for pubs. "It is really important people lobby their MP to support this Bill," said Freedom For Pubs Association founder Mike Bell.
The Quarry club in Lampeter, West Wales, has seen incidents of disorder plummet after troublemakers were asked to sign contracts guaranteeing good behaviour. Owner Steve Edwards agreed to revoke four people's bans after they signed contracts. However, behaviour contracts will not be offered to people who commit serious offences.
London brewer Fuller Smith & Turner will be the official beer of the Flora London Marathon after signing a six-figure, three-year deal. "The Marathon is an icon of our capital city and, as London's brewer, it is highly appropriate that we should be supporting it," said Fuller's Beer Company MD John Roberts.
Trade stalwart Lou Robson has died aged 55 after a two-year battle against cancer. Licensee Robson recently left the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street after 10 years. Her funeral will be on Friday 12 January at St Patrick's Church, High Spen, County Durham at 1.15 pm.
A drinker at the Five Bells in Streatham, London, won a week-long trip to Hawaii by entering a pub quiz run by interactive TV network Buzztime. Adam Williams triumphed over hundreds of others competing at the same time in participating pubs across the country. Runners-up received prizes including £1,000 cash.
