'Irish pub trade sales down 14 per cent'

The pub trade is experiencing a "meltdown" with sales down by more than 14 per cent in the first seven months of the year, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland claimed. It said the weak economic environment and lower consumer demand were causing further problems for the sector, which says it has experienced a 25 per cent reduction in sales since 2000. The figures are based on the retail sales index and excise receipts. The group said publicans were also facing ongoing "cost pressure" which was being generated by Government related costs such as commercial rates and regulation - Irish Times​

Consumer confidence rose for the first time since the general election during August, as people felt more optimistic about the economic recovery, research indicated today. The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index jumped by five points in the month to 61, following three consecutive months during which confidence had fallen. The rise was driven by an improvement in people's expectations of the state of the economy and the employment market in the months ahead - The Guardian ​

Children as young as 11 have had to cope with emergencies due to friends drinking too much, research out today found. One in 10 aged 11 to 16 have dealt with pals injured in drunken fights or unconscious, according to the British Red Cross. The poll, for a first aid campaign, found a quarter got drunk on average three times in six months - Mirror ​

Toast is a near-universally popular snack because it reminds us of happy childhood memories, scientists have found. More than four out of five British people list toast as their favourite breakfast food and scientists say the trend is down to the "comforting" nature of the snack - Daily Telegraph ​