'Punch set to overhaul Spirit pubs'

"Punch Taverns is planning an overhaul of Spirit, its managed pubs arm, home to brands including Chef & Brewer, in its quest to raise funds and reduce its £3.5bn debt pile. A raft of new brands are to be introduced, including a carvery chain called Roast Inn and Fayre & Square, a value food offering. Chef & Brewer will also get a makeover. The revamp is expected to cost about £45m this year. Spirit has also identified up to a 100 non-core pubs to sell." - Sunday Times​

"Scottish bar staff are being told to stop asking patrons if they'd like 'the same again'. The move is the result of new licensing laws coming into force this Tuesday to clamp down on 'irresponsible promotions'. In measures described last night as 'arrant nonsense', some training companies preparing staff for the new laws have warned the traditional prompt may be deemed irresponsible. Instead, bar staff are being advised it would be better simply to ask 'what would you like?', or 'what can I do for you?' It is also understood that trainers are telling staff that if a drinker is looking for a refill, a glass of water should be given." - Scotland on Sunday​

"Drinks retailers have spent £60m to comply with a key part of Scotland's flagship alcohol legislation that comes into force this week, Scotland on Sunday can reveal. Industry experts have warned that many pubs and independent off-licences face going out of business as they struggle to deal with the red tape that has resulted from the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005." - Scotland on Sunday​

"Luminar, Britain's biggest nightclub operator, is believed to have failed to offload its 49 per cent stake in 3D Entertainment despite slashing the asking price to less than £5m. Financial Mail understands that one venture capital bidder was discussing an offer for 3D, which operates 57 late-night bars under the Chicago Rock Cafe brand. 3D was valued at close to £50m for the year ending February 2008. However, those talks ground to a halt and it is understood no potential buyers have shown interest since." - Mail on Sunday​

"Drinkers are furious after a pub chain pumped up the cost of its beers. JD Wetherspoon put an extra 10p on bitter and £1 on a bottle of Stella for a racing festival despite 'price freeze' posters at its Postern Gate pub in York. Angry regular Andy Bevan reported them to Trading Standards. A pub spokesman said: 'Increases are in place for the festival to cover costs of extra door staff.'" - The Mirror​

"Pub landlords up and down the country are pulling the plug on karaoke machines as the craze fizzles out. And growing numbers are bringing back traditional pub games such as darts, pool and even skittles to lure back customers. At the height of their popularity in the mid-Nineties, 11,000 pubs and bars ran karaoke nights. But a survey by trade mag The Publican​ shows that the machines - recently voted the most irritating gadget ever invented - are being ditched for cheaper forms of entertainment." - Sunday Mirror​