'Punch Taverns considering pub sell-off'

Punch Taverns is considering selling nearly one-quarter of its 6,800 pubs as part of a strategic review that would see it focusing on its managed estate and remaining tenanted bars. Chief executive Ian Dyson has been trying to find ways of cutting Punch's £3bn debt and he will reveal his conclusions on March 22. Company advisers said Punch wanted to downsize to a core estate of about 5,000 pubs and had been considering selling the former Pubmaster estate, known as 'Punch B'. - Mail on Sunday​

Anti-alcohol campaigners have criticised a move to introduce "pub vouchers" to Scotland claiming they could encourage binge drinking. The vouchers have been developed by former Scottish & Newcastle director Andrew Stevenson, who will launch them in Scotland tomorrow (Monday). Stevenson, and managing director Dominic Lavan, began the scheme in England and Wales 18 months ago and the vouchers are now valid in more than 1,000 pubs. - Scotland on Sunday​

An opera first performed to 35 people in a pub takes on the collaborative might of five international companies at the stage's answer to the Oscars. Opera UpClose's La Bohème is nominated in the best new opera production category at next Sunday's Olivier Awards. La Bohème - eventually a sell-out at the 150-seat Soho Theatre last summer - opened to its tiny first audience at the Cock Tavern in north London in December 2009. - Independent on Sunday​

And finally… pop idol Justin Bieber has ordered a mass clear-out of booze from his luxury hotel suite before he arrives in Dublin next week. The clean-cut teen star is living up to his whiter-than-white reputation by warning staff at his top secret five-star hotel to lock up the mini bar and lay on the milk shakes. - Daily Mirror​