Snifter

Double trouble from discounts

Snifter observed the effects of both deep discounting and underage sales first hand on the train home last week.

Recently, the MA team discussed the traditional bank holiday off-trade price-slashing, advertised in the papers and on the web. One deal stuck out - two cases of Becks for £17, available in several major stores, including Tesco.

Boarding the train home to Brighton, Snifter was confronted with four teenagers quaffing crates of Becks, which, according to their carrier bags, had been bought from Tesco.

With their 40p-a-bottle haul, the youths had clearly over-indulged, and were swaying around the carriage, Becks in hand, causing other passengers to move away nervously.

You could not ask for a clearer illustration of the consequences of irresponsible drinks retailing.

Heady brew ferments

London International Wine Fair (LIWF) & Distil, held a fortnight ago, saw many players in the wine and spirits industries rock up at London's Excel to get a taste of what was on offer.

However, the Distil section of the show, despite being rammed with  talented speakers and a host of engaging brands, was rather bare in terms of major players. Diageo and Whyte & Mackay acted as the glue binding the spirits event together.

Snifter asked one of the event publicists whether this was a worrying sign for the spirits event's first year of going it alone alongside LIWF's bustling aisles.

"It takes three years for things to really grow," said the spokesperson, adding that many of this year's absentees wanted to  observe the event before taking part. That said, another industry figure described Distil as "very very promising".

Fingers crossed for next year, eh?

Ducking and diving

Licensees call time on their careers for a variety of different reasons, but Snifter has heard of a licensee's recent decision to quit his pub in quite bizarre circumstances.

Host Simon Bellamy is leaving the Wheel Inn, at Tresillian, Cornwall, because he is literally too tall for the 17th-century thatched pub.

The 6ft 4in chap only took over the pub four months ago, but ducking and diving to avoid the pub's tiny bar, numerous low ceilings and tight corners has triggered an old rugby back injury.

"Simon has developed neck and back problems and working here on a daily basis is not good news," says Bellamy's wife Alison.

"We are very sorry to have to leave, as trade has been very good, with a boost over the past couple of weeks," she adds.

The couple are reported to have put the pub lease up for sale for £100,000.

Eubank drives message home

Eccentric former boxer Chris Eubank was spotted by Snifter, driving around London in his monster truck. Emblazoned on the back is an uncompromising anti-alcohol and anti-tobacco message: "Boys and girls, I don't drink smoke or use drugs. Be a winner, it's never too late." The New Puritan forces seem to gain support by the day.