ID cards bill set for introduction

A draft bill for compulsory ID cards could be out in the next four weeks, Home Secretary David Blunkett has said. Earlier this month Tony Blair gave...

A draft bill for compulsory ID cards could be out in the next four weeks, Home Secretary David Blunkett has said.

Earlier this month Tony Blair gave his backing to the quicker introduction of ID cards to reduce the threat from terrorism.

But other MPs have expressed doubts about the cards because the technology is untested.

Lifetime ban is overturned A drinker has had his lifetime ban from 35 pubs overturned because he claimed it ruined his social life.

Jack Burgess was barred from every pub in Congleton, near Cheshire, 18 months ago after being convicted of an assault at the Throstle's Nest Inn in the town.

But Burgess said it was affecting his social life, as he had to travel to nearby Staffordshire to drink.

Diageo launches new Smirnoff ads Diageo has launched its ad campaign for Smirnoff vodka, called Not the Usual.

The first ad, Baker, screened this month, focuses on the brand's Russian heritage.

Smirnoff's marketing director Philip Gladman said the ads will accentuate the differences between the brand and its rivals.

Baker is supported by a £3m media spend.

Southern Comfort gets a £1m boost Bacardi-Martini has launched a £1m campaign for Southern Comfort based on a Mardi Gras theme.

Fat Tuesday ­ which translates as Mardi Gras ­ aims to link the whisky with its New Orleans heritage and boost sales among core male drinkers.

It features a series of gaming promotions in nearly 2,500 high street bars to encourage interaction between friends.

Egon Ronay puts knife into Dasani Coca-Cola's disgraced bottled water brand Dasani has been slammed as "exceptionally dull" by veteran food critic Egon Ronay in a blind test comparing bottled waters.

Coca-Cola pulled Dasani after it was found to contain more than twice the legal limit of the potentially carcinogenic chemical bromate.

BII gives college top training marks A Leicestershire college, which trains people in how to run a pub business, has been given the top Grade One rating by the British Institute of Innkeeping.

The licensees' course at Loughborough College teaches more than 200 people each year the fundamentals on running a licensed outlet.

Related topics Financial

Property of the week

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more