Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has reaffirmed the SNP's commitment to their flagship policy on minimum alcohol pricing. However, she said yesterday that no decision has yet been taken on what the cost per unit will be. The SNP is facing calls to set the price following concerns from MSPs over a lack of information in the Scottish Government's Alcohol Bill, which aims to tackle the country's unhealthy relationship with drink. - Scotland on Sunday
Merely reducing levels of alcohol consumption for binge drinkers is only half the picture. The Scottish government needs to begin to change the behaviour of other sections of society, encouraging them to become more social and enhancing their use of town centres in the evenings. The perception that town centres are exclusion zones and no-go areas for families and people simply wishing to have a quiet night out needs to be turned around. Though these groups may not be an obvious part of the problem, they must be a key part of the solution. - Dr Murray Simpson, writing in the Scotsman
Pubs group Punch Taverns reports half-year results on Thursday after surprising the market with news that its boss is to stand down after nine years with the group. Chief executive Giles Thorley announced his departure plans late last month, although the firm said it was "well advanced" in finding his successor and confirmed there would be an orderly handover. News of his departure was described as "unexpected and a shock" by one analyst, although shares have risen since the announcement. - Press Association
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal saw his Michelin three-star restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, make a profit of £525,818 in 2009, compared with £732,278 the previous year. The nearby Hinds Head, a gastro pub in which his holding company SL6 owns a 75 per cent stake, turned in £136,196, up from £51,088 the previous year. The Hinds Head's fare is cheaper than the Fat Duck, where the renowned 13-course taster menu is £150. But last year the Fat Duck was forced to close for two weeks after an outbreak of food poisoning led to the cancellation of some 800 bookings. If a £200,000 payout to cover the restaurant's closure is factored in, the Fat Duck's performance is almost unchanged. - The Guardian