NewsDigest

Scottish & Newcastle UK is to release Bulmers Pear Cider over ice in November. The 4.5% abv pear cider is aimed at the 25 to 34-year-old market and will come in a 568ml bottle to be served over ice. It will sit alongside S&NUK's other pear cider Upside, which is from Finland and also served over ice. "This will enable licensees to capitalise on the steadily-growing market for pear ciders by bringing something new to the sector," said marketing manager Stephen Mosey.

A third protest march against the smoking ban is to take place in Bristol on 20 October. It is being organised by south-west based karaoke and disco event organiser Chris Elliott, and follows marches in Wells and Glastonbury in Somerset. "We feel the local pubs, some of which have been in business for hundreds of years, are at an unfair disadvantage," said Elliott.

A pub where people secretly filmed drunken yobs and customers snorting white powder has been ordered to close for six weeks for a £100,000 revamp to change its image. The actions of some customers at the Bridgewater Hotel in Worsley, Salford, were captured on video three times. Pub owners Orchid promised another £100,000 for a refurbishment, plus extra door staff and CCTV.

The Leeds United Supporters Club has taken over the famous Old Peacock pub in the city. The 21-year Greene King lease was up for sale for £90,000 through Bar Agency by Local Heroes Pub Company in April. The lease on the pub, which is situated across the road from Leeds' Elland Road ground, was bought with funds from membership subscriptions.

Bar staff's exposure to second-hand smoke has fallen since the smoking ban in England, according to Cancer Research. Researchers from the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre in Warwick, funded by Cancer Research, visited 59 pubs, bars, clubs, bingo halls, betting shops and cafes. They found non-smoking staff had four times less continine - an indicator of smoke exposure - in their saliva.