'Predators circle pubs group wounded by £422m losses'

Opportunistic bidders have begun stalking Mitchells & Butlers a day after the pub operator announced £422m of losses and likely losses linked to its failure to secure a lucrative property deal. Yesterday the company confirmed there had been several tentative approaches. After the market closed last night it emerged that activist investor Robert Tchenguiz had increased his interest in M&B for the second time this week, signalling he continues to play an active role in shaping the pub group's future. He now controls 23.1% of shares, mainly through equity derivatives- The Guardian​

A ban on outdoor heaters as part of the battle against climate change could cost the UK pub and catering trade £250m a year in lost trade, it has been claimed. Euro-MPs are expected to back a resolution calling on the European Commission to set a timetable for abolishing goods with low energy-efficiency ratings- Daily Express​

Soft-drinks giant Britvic has been Tango'd by the smoking ban. The group, which makes J20, Fruit Shoot and Robinson's drinks, sells about a quarter of its output to pubs which have lost trade since fags were outlawed. Total sales jumped 31 per cent to £214m in the last three months of 2007 - but that was mainly due to a £49m contribution from its new Irish operation. Without that, sales edged up just 1.1 per cent- The Mirror​

All artificial colourings in food and soft drinks should be banned, a parliamentary committee urged yesterday in a report on the effect of diet on the brain- The Guardian​

The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday condemned Britain's 24-hour drinking culture, saying it was the "tip of the iceberg" of alcohol abuse. Rowan Williams expressed his concern that a review, ordered by Prime Minister Gordon Brown would conclude that the legislation permitting pubs and clubs to serve alcohol around the clock had been a success- The Guardian​

A young bank worker drank himself to death in a "last man standing" competition inspired by the film American Pie 5, an inquest was told yesterday. David Reid, 22, and a friend shared half a bottle of tequila, half a bottle of gin and three shots of whisky within 45 minutes. Mr Reid. a University of Manchester graduate, was eventually carried up to bed and placed in a sleeping bag after complaining that he could not drink any more. He was found dead hours later- The Times​