'Wetherspoons attacks plans for smaller wine glasses in pubs'

Pubs will be forced to serve wine in smaller glasses, under new proposals to curb excessive drinking being considered by the Government. But the scheme, which would be included in a mandatory code of practice for bars and pubs, has already been attacked by retailers who say there is no demand for smaller glasses. A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: "Obviously if smaller glasses are made mandatory we will look at it, but our customers have made it quite clear that the two sizes they wish to choose from are 175ml and 250ml - The Telegraph​

Both the SNP and Labour now seem ready to examine a possible agreed package of action on alcohol. Labour has remained sceptical towards minimum pricing and wants its own ideas considered, but a senior government source described the development as "encouraging". The minority SNP government at Holyrood also wants to ban discount deals on alcohol and restrict the display and marketing of drink to specific areas within off-sales premises as part of its proposals - BBC​

Britain's first clear beer is being launched for drinkers who hate brown ale and foamy heads. Brewing giant Coors, which makes Carling and Grolsch, will trial the drink in pubs this summer. The beer, which has not yet been named, will have an alcohol strength of 4%. The development is part of a multi-million pound project to boost the number of women who drink ale - The Daily Star ​

The Business and Enterprise Committee - led by Worcestershire MP Peter Luff - is looking into the link between pubs and pubcos, and whether there is a competition issue. It has spoken to about 1,000 pubs owned by the big companies, which include Solihull-based Enterprise Inns; Burton firm Punch Taverns; and former Birmingham brewer Mitchells and Butlers - The Birmingham Post​

Whitbread: The hotel and restaurant group has launched a six-month apprenticeship programme and announced plans to create 1,000 jobs this year - The Times​