Pete Robinson: Pete's Pub Newsround
CAMRA awards diluted by lack of pubs
CAMRA can't find enough candidates for prizes as public houses close at record rate.
For the first time in more than 25 years, most of the annual CAMRA pub design awards went unawarded - because in the crisis gripping Britain's pubs there simply aren't enough worthy candidates.
A Victorian gin palace in London, a Wiltshire gastropub update, and a shiny steel and glass microbrewery in Reading shared the honours - but that was it.
No awards were presented for conversion to pub use, for the conservation prize sponsored by English Heritage, or for the category best loved by CAMRA members, the best traditional corner pub.
This follows last year's debacle that saw CAMRA giving a 'Best Pub' award to the property developers who had just demolished it.
Awards judge Steve Parissien blamed cash-strapped publicans for not blowing more money, saying: "They leave their old customers behind without bringing in new ones."
In another article a CAMRA spokesman says: "While the smoking ban might have been responsible for an initial drop in pub trade, customers soon adapted."
Pete's comment: Yes, customers adapted by drinking at home. This demonstrates once more how out of touch CAMRA have become.
CAMRA's support for the smoking ban was based on the daft assumption that all smokers were typically lager drinking riff-raff. CAMRA threw it's weight squarely behind the ban and now blames YOU, the publicans, for the trade's inertia.
Like the pubcos today's corporate CAMRA finds it impossible to admit they got it terribly wrong. Fear of losing face drives them blindly on in the fruitless search for the New Breed of customer.
Hang on to your Good Beer Guides - they could soon become collector's items.
Men-in-suits blast Worrall Thompson
Some of our glorious and dynamic industry leaders have slammed Antony Worrall Thompson's Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign to amend the 2007 smoking ban, claiming it is "too late to turn back the clock".
Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), said that to reverse the ruling "would open up enormous difficulties".
"The BHA supported the ban, not least because employees affected by the smoke were taking their former employers to court. It may have impacted on businesses, but I don't see how amending the ban can practically work."
The British Beer & Pub Association added that the industry has moved on since the ban. "The industry has adapted to the challenge. Pubs have invested £100m on outside smoking areas and there is no going back now."
Worrall Thompson believes that restaurants should remain smoke-free, but that pubs not serving food should have the right to choose saying: "People were meant to flock back to pubs after the ban, but where are they? Landlords opposed to the ban should campaign to their local MP."
Pete's comment: It's a lie - there are no cases of bar employees suing over SHS, although I would be delighted to see a test case.
With eejits like Couchman in charge no wonder the in-hospitality trade is in such a mess. The BBPA, meanwhile, reflects only the blinkered views of naive pubco fatcats.
MoneyWeek - The sun might be shining but don't invest in pubs yet
An article in MoneyWeek starts positively enough, saying things are looking up for the pub trade with the recent good weather boosting takings.
It goes on to say: "Throw in a rapidly growing campaign to repeal the smoking ban, and conditions are starting to look brighter for the industry than at any time since MPs voted to ban smoking from all pubs and clubs in 2006."
Apparently they are unaware parts of our own industry are hell bent on suicidally opposing such a move.
However after some analysis MoneyWeek concludes: "Of course, if turnover increases, the debt won't be such a problem. But with up to 50 pubs a week closing in the UK, and sales in long term decline, we wouldn't bet on a recovery just yet. Which means that sunny weather or no sunny weather, we wouldn't go near a pub stock any time soon."
Pete's comment: So how do you think 50,000 pubs can avert disaster by suddenly increasing turnover? To the City's moneymen the answer is acutely obvious.
Smoke ban pioneer goes bust
Kevin Norman, the landlord of the Curwen Arms, Workington, was the first in the town to ban smoking months before the law changed. But last week he suddenly closed the pub and handed the keys back to Scottish and Newcastle brewery.
Before the ban the pub was one of the main pubs revelers visited along the town's drinking circuit on a weekend. The future of the pub is not known.
Mr Norman also ran the Travellers Rest and Hogs and Heffers nightclub. The Travellers Rest, which is also owned by Scottish and Newcastle, was put under temporary management after Mr Norman left late last year. A permanent landlord still cannot be found.
Last month Mr Norman closed the Hogs and Heffers club together with Harveys cafe bar next door. He said then that he might be forced into bankruptcy.
Pete's comment: The New Opportunity bites back.
Clubs suffering after smoking ban
A survey on behalf of the CIU has revealed working men's clubs are struggling in the wake of the smoking ban. The survey was verified by Dr Ruth Cherrington of Warwick University.
It found that the ban had "definitely" had a detrimental effect on 98% of clubs.
Other facts uncovered include:
98% stated the ban was not implemented fairly.
98% believed there should have been freedom of choice.
98% of clubs had the facility for a separate smoking room.
81% stated that they did not trust this government anymore.
Pete's comment: These clubs have always been the heartland of traditional Labour voters. Brown et al still don't comprehend the historical hammering they'll receive come the next election.
Gang attacks smokers outside pub
Three patrol cars raced to the Kilbryde Arms in Calderwood, East Kilbride, shortly before midnight after receiving reports of a disturbance outside the Alloway Road boozer.
An eye-witness said a 20-strong gang laid siege to the building after picking on regulars who were enjoying a smoke in the street.
Police confirmed a window was smashed and one male suspect was later taken to East Kilbride Police Station for questioning but he was released without charge.
The landlady who has been based at the pub for 10 years believes it has highlighted a wider safety issue for smokers forced to go outside.
Pete's comment: This is becoming quite common and I actually witnessed a similar incident last year.
Alcohol-related deaths up 40% in ten years
The number of people dying from alcohol-related causes rose by nearly 40 per cent from 5,287 in 1999 to 7,341 last year, recently obtained figures show.
The number of deaths among women rose by 32 per cent and among men by 43 per cent. Deaths with an underlying cause related to alcohol among people under 40 rose by 24 per cent, the figures revealed.
Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "These figures are a stark reminder of how alcohol can have a devastating effect not only on hazardous drinkers but their loved ones as well. Government can and should do more."
"A good place to start would be by ensuring that their proposed mandatory code [on the selling and advertising of alcohol] allows the authorities to finally get a handle on irresponsible sales practices."
The Department of Health said that alcohol "is one of the most challenging public health issues we face".
Pete's comment: 7341 peopl
