'Pub trips and new shoes fall victim to slowdown'

British consumers are tightening their belts and cutting back on everything from shoe shopping to trips to the pub, according to the latest survey by the Bank of England. The report shows a significant slowdown from late August to late September in spending on consumer services from financial services to pubs, restaurants and leisure attractions - The Times​

Taxes on draught beer in pubs should be cut to help save "the local" from extinction in many rural and suburban areas, MPs said yesterday. They called on the government to consider different levies on beer served from a pump to those on bottled or canned beer to protect such "national icons" - The Guardian​

Shoppers south of the border face the prospect of buying alcohol at a dedicated supermarket check-out as another aspect of Scotland's proposed licensing regime looks set to be adopted by Westminster. The dedicated check-out system is already out for consultation in Scotland - The Herald​

A Cheltenham pub landlord is hoping to help his neighbours beat the credit crunch - by providing them with allotments to grow fresh vegetables. Mike Huysinga, who runs the Exmouth Arms, in Bath Road, is hoping to persuade Cheltenham Borough Council to let him turn over unused land at the rear of the pub to create 12 allotments - The Gloucestershire Echo​

One resourceful pub landlord has decided to tackle the credit crisis by pricing all the meals on his menu at just £1. Now the customers are flooding in and trade is flourishing, says Tony Rabbits who runs the Four Crosses in Cannock, Staffordshire. "Three or four months ago we were really struggling," he told Sky News Online. "Back then we typically had 15 people in for lunch - today I've had 300" - Sky News​