The demise of the British boozer, with cash-strapped drinkers opting to stay at home with cheap supermarket beer, has led to the first ever decline in music royalties from pubs and clubs. PRS for Music, which collects payments for more than 60,000 musicians, songwriters and publishers, returned £549m to its members last year. But the amount that PRS collected from pubs and clubs dropped 2% to £39.7m as the recession forced many publicans out of business - The Guardian
The head of Britain's biggest pubs group claims the recession will shut down one in five boozers. Giles Thorley, chief executive of Punch Taverns, said up to 11,000 could go bust because of the credit crunch. He admitted that changing lifestyles were contributing to the decline but criticised the Government for piling higher taxes and red tape on to the sector - The Sun
Pub bosses across the UK and Ireland last night united to back the SNP's plans for a hike on drinks prices. A meeting in Stirling of the countries' Licensed Trade Associations saw industry leaders calling for "immediate legislation". In a joint statement they said a minimum price for alcohol sales would combat "a significant increase in alcohol misuse" - The Sun
A couple had to be rescued after a petrol bomb was thrown through the window of a pub in Greater Manchester. The blaze ripped through the Derby Arms in Bury at 0315 BST on Thursday. Firefighters led the pair, both aged 58, and their dog to safety from the upstairs flat. They were treated for smoke inhalation. Watch commander Steve Wilcock said: "The fire could have proved fatal, fortunately the door to the pub was closed, containing the flames." The pub was totally destroyed in the attack - BBC
Two robbers have been found guilty of shooting a police officer during a raid at a Lancashire pub. Wayne McDonald, 47, fired at PC Katie Johnson when she disturbed a robbery at the Hospital Inn in Bamber Bridge. At Preston Crown Court, McDonald was found guilty of wounding with intent and robbery but was cleared of attempted murder - BBC