What the Sunday papers said

Tomorrow (Monday), market research firm Nielsen will publish a report showing that pub beer sales in Scotland dropped by 7 per cent, the equivalent of 36 million pints, in the 12 months to March 2007. This appears to contradict an opinion survey in November 2006 in which consumers said they would be more likely to visit pubs now they were non-smoking. After a slight lift in sales last summer, pub and bar takings declined compared to the year before every month, according to Nielsen. - Scotland On Sunday​

The Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have called on the government, police and councils to reduce the numbers of signs publicans have to display. They have vowed to fight the proposals to make them show details of alcoholic units. Landlords are also bracing themselves for an increase in the number of council enforcement patrols to check on pubs, once the anti-smoking legislation comes into force. Publicans who fail to display signs could face hefty fines. - Sunday Telegraph​

Shares in pub chains took a tumble this weekend as nervous investors abandoned ship ahead of the impending smoking ban next week. Enterprise Inns saw its share price fall 17.5p to 674.5p, while Punch Taverns' share price dropped 20p to 1,272p. Two other brewery companies, Scottish & Newcastle and SABMiller, also saw share prices fall by smaller amounts on Friday. City analysts said the impact of the smoking ban, which comes into force next Sunday, was being felt across the leisure industry. Other factors affecting the drop in share prices include a forthcoming government review into alcohol prices and promotions. - Independent On Sunday​

Last week, Guinness executives announced a review of its historic St James's Gate brewery in central Dublin. This is only just getting under way but many believe that it will lead to the closure of the site, which makes more than 40 per cent of the world's Guinness, and that brewing will be moved to a purpose-built facility outside the city centre. Some observers worry that if St James's Gate closes, the loss of a large slice of Guinness history could hurt sales. "Relocating a brewery is always a risk. We've seen it many times with a brand that is closely associated with a particular location," said Andrew Holland, analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort. - Sunday Times​

Biofuels may be good for the environment, but they are bad news for German beer drinkers. Prices in the country's pubs look set to rise by 40 per cent this year, because Germany's farmers are growing less barley for beer production and more crops for biodiesel and bioethanol. As a result, Germany's brewers, which insist on the purity of their beer and offer organic brands to emphasise their green-tinged credentials, have turned over a new leaf. They are now demanding an end to the use of crops to make fuel. - Independent On Sunday​

Speaking to the Independent On Sunday, Graham Turner, boss of Café Rouge owner Tragus, acknowledges the criticism surrounding the 'homogenisation' of the High Street's restaurant sector, but points to improving service standards as a plus point. "It kind of annoys me a bit that people automatically think chains are bad. We can give a more consistent product, more consistent service," he says. "We have done a lot of work on food quality and service. In a country pub, you can get great service in one and crap service in the next," he adds. - Independent On Sunday​

A new craze called Bar Code that started in New York and has swept Britain has arrived in clubs and pubs across Ulster. And all you have to do to find the perfect partner is let your fingers do the talking through a series of hand gestures. The signs can communicate everything from "you're cute", "I'm with someone, maybe later", "not interested", or a simple and straight-to-the-point "sleep with me". - Belfast Telegraph​

And finally...

Landlady Helen Tweedale of the Lively Lobster in Sale, Cheshire, has opened a barber's in a room next to the bar. The salon - called Hair of the Dog - is run by Maxine Wilson, who doubles as barmaid a couple of nights a week. Helen, 47, said: "The idea is for people to sit and have a pint while they have their hair cut. The brewery told us it was mad but were happy to let us do it. We think the barber's will be an asset to the pub." - Sunday People​