'Wetherspoon chief joins chorus of disapproval over rates plan'

Tim Martin, chairman of pubs group JD Wetherspoon, has added his voice to the criticism of the Scottish Government's proposed "supermarket tax". The planned rise in business rates for large retailers would mean high-street stores and those in out-of-town shopping centres paying up to 15p in the pound a year extra - The Scotsman​

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has opened its first takeaway cafe. The outlet in Central London could be the first of hundreds across the country - and experts fear they will heap yet more pressure on small, family-owned businesses and independent cafes in the High Street. Branded as The Fresh Kitchen, the Sainsbury's takeaway sells sandwiches, snacks and hot food such as bacon rolls, cottage pie, lasagne, soup and curries - Daily Mail ​

New figures from drinks industry analysts show sales of bourbon booming in the UK at the expense of Scotch whisky as consumers get a taste for "exotic" brown spirits. Figures from International Wine and Spirits Research show bourbon sales in the UK rose by 25% between 2005 and 2009 and are forecast to increase by another 22% up to 2014 - The Herald​

A Panama-based company believes outdoor drinkers would prefer to crack open a tin rather than lug round a bottle of their favourite tipple. Now bosses at Scottish Spirits - which retains an office in Glasgow - is testing out the novelty on its Caribbean and South American markets. But last night the Scotch Whisky Association said it would try to ban the cans for breaching international labelling rules - Daily Mail​