Beware of rejects
22-May-2003
Following quite a few requests by e-mail, this week we will take a look at faulty or out-of-condition bottles of wine. They do put in an appearance...
Pubwatch under threat from human rights claims
22-May-2003
A town's Pubwatch scheme may face legal action from customers who claim banning orders have breached their human rights. Up to six barred drinkers in...
Guild set to fight children-in-pubs plan
22-May-2003
The Guild of Master Victuallers is to lobby the government over its plans to allow unaccompanied children into pubs.At its annual conference this...
Disabled law warning as licensee is prosecuted under DDA
22-May-2003
Campaigners are calling for tougher penalties against licensees after a pub refused entry to a customer with hearing difficulties and her assistance...
TV soaps lose plot with pub scenes, says group
22-May-2003
by Tony Halstead Television soap pubs have been rapped by Britain's brewers for promoting bad practice in the nation's bars. The campaign group Beer...
Agents cast the net far and wide
20-May-2003
The internet has become a useful tool to advertise pub properties. Michelle Perret reports.Ten years ago no-one had any idea what the internet was,...
What the Sunday papers said
19-May-2003
The Mail on SundayThe headline reads: "How Britain's biggest pub boss became intoxicated by a blonde banker and called time on a 23-year...
Empire strikes back
16-May-2003
Following a period of consolidation, W&DB has embarked on product development - starting with Old Empire IPA. Mark Stretton reports.The Mark...
Bar goes online
15-May-2003
A new bar in Camden is breaking new ground by offering wireless internet access for local business clientele. The Lockside Lounge opens today in the...
Bottled sunshine
15-May-2003
Imagine a region where viticulture dates back to the 7th-century BC and which currently yields fruity, spicy wines that are both easy drinking and...
Crook driven round bend
15-May-2003
A would-be thief became trapped in a chimney for seven hours while trying to break into a pub, a court heard. David Gardner, 28, of Newbiggin Hall...
Judge praises pubs for using modern design
15-May-2003
by Tony Halstead The best designed pubs throughout Britain have been honoured in an annual competition organised by Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale....
Yvonne Lester
15-May-2003
The funeral takes place this Friday (16 May) of SLV stalwart Yvonne Lester, who was secretary of the SLV north west fund-raising committee. Yvonne,...
Yates's wannabes hit the right note
15-May-2003
Three months ago, we mentioned that Yates's was running a talent contest to find Britain's newest pop star. Would you believe more than 12,000...
Salford in shock as licensee is killed on 46th birthday
15-May-2003
A community in Manchester has been left shocked by the killing of landlord Len Tague, who died on his 46th birthday in his pub. Mr Tague had only...
Finance: Bridging the cash gap
14-May-2003
Seasonal dips in trade and unexpected crises can make it very difficult for a pub business to thrive. Short-term finance can help redress the...
Two's company
12-May-2003
Mark Stretton analyses the possibility of Scottish & Newcastle Retail merging with the Mitchells & Butlers chain to create one...
What the Sunday papers said
12-May-2003
The Mail on SundayMitchells & Butlers plans to raise £1.6bn by effectively mortgaging half its 2,100 pubs. About £1.3bn will be used to repay...
Meggitt moves on
08-May-2003
Yates Group will be parting company with its property director Tim Meggitt. Chief executive Mark Jones and other Yates executives will split...
Madge's no real-ale virgin
08-May-2003
by Claire Hu Pop icon Madonna has revealed she is a huge fan of traditional pubs and real ale, especially Timothy Taylor's. The star, speaking in a...
The fruitful age
08-May-2003
No matter where you go, in the world of wine that is, there is one particular type of wood that is inextricably associated with the maturation of...
Young host has big plans at Jennings
08-May-2003
By Claire Hu One of the country's youngest licensees has been enlisted by Jennings Brewery to run a new addition to its growing County Durham pub...
Licensee in row over racist windows'
08-May-2003
by Claire Hu A pub manager in the West Midlands has been left bemused after calls were made for a window of the premises to be removed because it may...
Leeds bar starts off Firefly chain
08-May-2003
by Clive Smith A new chain of entertainment venues focusing on drinking, dining and dancing has been launched in Leeds by an independent restaurant...
Confusion for licensees as children in pubs plans return
08-May-2003
Controversial plans to allow children into pubs are firmly back on the political agenda. The government has overturned an amendment to the Licensing...
After more than 25 years in catering, Anthony Williams has w
01-May-2003
What makes a village pub special? Is it the ambience and atmosphere, the quality of the food, the choice of cask ales, or the welcome offered by the...
Community in shock as host is murdered
01-May-2003
By Claire Hu Licensees in the Midlands have been left shocked by the murder of a "dedicated" Punch landlord who was beaten to death during an early...
All that Jas
01-May-2003
Botanic Inns, headed by managing director Jas Mooney, is gaining recognition outside of its Belfast heartland and looking to expand. Tom Innes...
Igniting the flame
01-May-2003
With many countries enforcing a ban on smoking in public places, is it a matter of time before the UK follows suit? Jackie Annett reports.Results set...
NHS bill plan could spark insurance hike for pubs
01-May-2003
Licensees and pub operators could face even higher insurance costs from new legislation that aims to recover the cost of workplace injuries.The...
Licensees worry over hike in rates
01-May-2003
Business rates on commercial properties could see rises of up to 75 per cent, a new report has warned. The impact of the 2005 Rating Revaluation...
Publican poll reveals two-thirds targeted by scams
01-May-2003
Almost two-thirds of licensees have been targeted by fraudsters over the past year, according to an poll on thePublican.com.More than 60 per cent of...
Striking it rich
30-Apr-2003
The Sunday Times' annual Rich List shows mixed fortunes for industry figures. Mark Stretton takes a look.The annual list of Britain's wealthiest folk...
Po Na Na suspends shares
29-Apr-2003
The outlook was bleak for Po Na Na this morning as the cash-strapped bar operator asked for its shares to be suspended.The lastest move would...
What the Sunday papers said
28-Apr-2003
The Sunday TelegraphScottish & Newcastle plans to sell its retail division, in a bold move that it hopes will raise up to £2bn to expand its...
The pleasure of snacking
25-Apr-2003
The following article is brought to you by Walkers Snack Foods.How to cash in on the crisps & snacks opportunity by occasion.Quiet drink /...
Feed the need
25-Apr-2003
The following article is brought to you by McCain.Talk "occasions" and most people think of birthdays, Christmas and Valentine's Day. But people need...
Expect a Doritos heatwave
24-Apr-2003
Walkers Snacks will begin a £1m television advertising campaign this month to promote its launch of the new Extreme Chilli Heatwave flavour. The...
Branded Leisure to fight on despite collapse rumours
24-Apr-2003
Branded Leisure, the operator of the Cosmo Spirit Café in Manchester, has denied claims it faces collapse.The company is fighting a winding-up...
Easter sales boost for UK pubs
24-Apr-2003
Pubs enjoyed a bumper Easter weekend as many Brits got out and about in the sunshine instead of travelling abroad.Pubs reported soaring sales over...
Hampden's dry no more
24-Apr-2003
Alcohol was sold to sports fans at Hampden Park for the first time in more than 20 years but the move is unlikely to see an end to "dry" rugby and...
Beating the binge
23-Apr-2003
The Portman Group is aiming to tackle the growing problem of binge-drinking with a fresh burst of trade-focused activity. Nicola Collenette...
Toad's in a hole
23-Apr-2003
Many pub operators have flirted with the idea of a high street bar chain, but Eldridge Pope's Toad concept is an example not to follow, says Mark...
Important scam warning for licensees
23-Apr-2003
A rogue company has been targeting publicans in a shocking scam, conning them out of their hard earned cash.The Publican has been inundated with...
Froggatt's S&N call up is surprise' to trade
17-Apr-2003
By Claire Hu Scottish and Newcastle, Britain's biggest brewer, has surprised the trade by appointing a company outsider, Tony Froggatt, as its new...
Oh Hugh, far too casual
17-Apr-2003
Whilst speaking at the ALMR's recent annual lunch I could not resist commenting on the Six Continents' AGM, Mr Hugh Osmond and his "casual...
Okells' Manx Cat stalks north west
17-Apr-2003
By Tony Halstead Isle of Man-brewed Okells beers will play a starring role in a new pub chain opening on the UK mainland. Former Robert Cain Brewery...
Cameron's Lion King
17-Apr-2003
Mark Stretton meets David Soley, who last year merged Cameron's and Castle Eden to safeguard the art of brewing in the North East.I wanted to talk...
Summer of discontent?
16-Apr-2003
SARS. Terrorists. Here we go again, say tourism chiefs. Jackie Annett reports.With the SARS virus and the war already leading to a drop in tourism,...
Karaoke nights: The show must go on
16-Apr-2003
Karaoke is a guaranteed success, says Phil Mellows.By the end of the show the pub was a hot terrine of 200 sweating bodies pressed against the stage,...
