NewsDigest

Crowded public places, such as licensed premises, are likely to be included in future terrorist attack plans, a security expert has warned. Speaking at the National Pubwatch Conference on Tuesday, DC Jim Maietta of the National Counter Terror Security Office (NaCTSO) said: "Although we have no specific intelligence about licensed premises, they are likely to be included in attack plans in the future because of the potential for mass casualties."

South-east based operator Victoria Inns has bought its 10th pub. The Rock Hotel in Weymouth is set to undergo a £200,000 refurbishment and will reopen as the Rock in the early summer. The company also recently spent £100,000 refurbishing the Thirsty Camel pub in Exeter, which reopened as Oddfellows in October. "We plan to continue the expansion of our estate as the right pubs come along," said director Tim Westlake.

The Spitfire, Kings Hill, West Malling, has been crowned Shepherd Neame Pub of the Year 2007. Licensee Brendan McBride was presented with a cheque for £1,000 and a luxury hotel break in Dorset. "This coveted honour is reserved for the pub which best embodies our core values," said chief executive Jonathan Neame.

Compass Inns, the expanding Brighton area gastropub operator, has appointed Justyn Brogan as its new operations manager. Brogan has experience in the holiday sector and as a former restaurant manager. The company has added the New Inn at Hurstpierpoint, and the Crown and Anchor in Shoreham-by-Sea, both in West Sussex, to its estate.

The European Parliament has voted to overturn its own smoking ban, brought in on 1 January this year. After just 43 days members have reversed the ban in their own buildings. Despite supporting bans in numerous EU countries MEPs lacked the willpower to stick to their own resolution. MEPs said the ban was unenforceable as so many members have their own offices where smoking was continuing.

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