Robinson buys up more of Jennings
Stockport-based family brewer Frederic Robinson has bought another 3.5% of rival Jennings Brothers taking its stake in the Cumbrian brewer and pub operator to around 24%. Robinson bought the 318,000 shares from Active Capital Trust for about £700,000. It is the seventh time since March 2003 that Robinson has bought shares in Jennings, and it now owns 2.56m shares in the company. Clean up plan for Winchester city Winchester Police have put forward proposals to ban drinking on the city's streets after a spate of crimes, believed to be fuelled by alcohol. The proposals would give officers the power to seize booze and pour it away immediately. Similar plans in the 1990s were dropped because of concerns about how they could be enforced. Punch wins Euro Deal of the Year Punch Taverns has won the European Deal of the Year 2003 award for its debt restructuring. The award, from International Securitisation Report, was given for Punch's restructuring of its long-term securitised debt finance, completed last November. Licensing laws under microscope A conference dealing with developments in the law on licensed premises takes place on 25 February. The all-day event, at Café Royal, London, will include discussions on the Licensing Act; lease contracts; beer ties; and disability and safety regulations. Among those speaking will be John McNamara of the British Institute of Innkeeping. Call 01932 893852 or see www.ibclegal.com/lease04. Purchasing firm holds open day Bristol-based purchasing company WBG, which bulk-buys goods and services then sells them to hosts at reduced costs, is holding an open day on 24 March. The event, at the Novotel in Bristol from 11am, will give members the chance to discuss buying terms with suppliers. Call 01761 462877 or see www.theperfectbar.com. Yates Group director resigns Charles Enevoldson, human resources director at Yates Group, has resigned from the board and is leaving the group. His responsibilities will be divided between senior management in the short term.
