NewsDigest

Former boss of Greene King's managed division, Mark Angela, was given a pay-off of £300,000 after his employment ended at the company in April this year, according to the company's annual report. The money was paid under the terms of his contract. Angela earned a further £386,000 during the 2006-2007 financial year, including an annual bonus of £117,000. The total remuneration for Greene King directors rose by over 25% in 2007 to £3.1m from £2.48m the year before.

Tenanted and managed operator Marston's is looking to recruit a director of group estates to oversee its property assets, which are valued at around £2bn. The position will involve helping oversee the management of the company's 2,250 pubs, while ensuring it extracts higher alternative-use values from its licensed and unlicensed property estate.

Laurel has opened a Slug & Lettuce at the O2 arena. The 27,000-capacity former Millennium Dome stages between three and five concerts a week. The outlet will open for breakfast from 10am every day

under the stewardship of general manager Richard Hamilton. When

it first opened, Regent Inns ran a

bar there

Pubs in Cornwall may be forced to employ doormen to keep an eye on customers smoking outside. The call comes after the authorities in Looe said the smoking ban had caused a rise in antisocial behaviour with people now drinking alcohol in the streets and causing problems. Police issued the warning to pubs about employing doormen.

Supply chain specialist Makella has announced "ambitious plans" for the pub trade following its takeover by a US company. Managing director Liam Taylor hopes to triple Makella's business within the next three years, with pubcos a key target of its new strategy. The firm offers a range of services, from e-sourcing and online ordering to contract management

and reporting.