Scottish pubs are closing down at a rate of five a week as the credit crunch bites. In the space of 18 months, 555 pubs went out of business with only 137 new ones opening, figures show. Worried industry leaders last night likened the crisis to the 1930s Great Depression and blamed the global economic gloom, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket drinks - The Sun
Plans to ban bargain booze have been shelved - because of the credit crunch. Ministers wanted to impose minimum alcohol prices to end below-cost deals on beer, wine and spirits in supermarkets and stores. But the deepening economic gloom has prompted a rethink. Ministers now admit there would be a major outcry if they tried to push up the price of a tipple while people are struggling to afford the weekly shop - The Mirror
Police are investigating a nightclub that offered students an all-you-can drink event for £5. Escapade, in Newport, south Wales, promoted the offer as around 700 students attended its Bounce event last Wednesday. It is repeating the offer this Wednesday for a special Hallowe'en night - The Daily Telegraph
A publican is celebrating after winning the title of London's best-loved local in a campaign to reward the most community conscious pub in the city. The Churchill Arms in Kensington won an £8,500 bursary after it triumphed over 400 pubs in the three-month Stella Artois Love your Local campaign. Publican Gerry O'Brien said: "I feel out of this world." - Associated Press
A Tesco store in Reading has been caught selling booze to children following a police crackdown on underage drinking. The sting operation saw a 15-year-old go into the Tesco Express accompanied by undercover officers and attempt to buy alcohol. The employee was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for disorder after illegally serving the underage teen with booze - The Reading Evening Post