The top news stories of 2001 on thePublican.com
The nine months or so since we've been up and running have seen some controversial issues facing the trade, so we thought a round up of the most popular might be in order.
These are the top ten most-read articles on thePublican.com, almost all of which generated some considerable debate amongst you.
Go on, refresh your memory...
CAMRA sticks by cask ale ban |
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was attacked in August for banning two of the country's favourite beers, Ruddles County and Old Speckled Hen, from the 2001 Great British Beer Festival. Brewer of the two beers, Greene King, said the decision did not support CAMRA's campaign to improve the sales of cask ale. Much debate followed on thePublican.com.
Read the full article...
Law says pubs are not homes |
Publicans were shocked in September to learn that their premises were not given the same rights of protection against burglars as other households. Under the law, pubs were not considered to be homes, even if the licensee's family lived in the same building. A subsequent u-turn by the government then declared that premises with "direct access" from the pub to the living area could be classed as domestic.
Read the original article...Read about the u-turn...
Pubs given nod to sell alcohol from 6am for World Cup matches |
News broke in November that pubs would be allowed to serve alcohol from 6am so customers can drink while they watch England's World Cup matches this coming summer.
Read the full article...
House of Commons approves plans for 36-hour opening for New Year |
November also saw the House of Commons Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee giving its approval to plans for 36-hour opening over New Year.
Read the full article...
Another popular article on thePublican.com related to this same subject, Magistrates in New Year fury (25 October 2001), which concerned the Magistrates' Association (MA) and the Justices' Clerks' Society (JCS) issuing guidance to all their members urging them to automatically grant applications for extensions over New Year unless objections were raised by police or residents.
Outcry over Laurel's plans to cut cask ale selection |
In August, small brewers hit out over plans by Laurel Pub Company to cut the cask ale selection in 400 of its pubs. Much debate followed from you on thePublican.com
Read the full article...
Trade fears blanket ban on lunchtime drinking |
In August we covered the news that nearly three quarters of British firms would like to see a blanket ban on lunchtime drinking - a move that would have a devastating effect on the pub trade. Again, this article generated a great deal of debate amongst you on thePublican.com.
Read the full article...
MP announces AWP prize hike |
November saw Minister for sport Richard Caborn announcing that jackpots on AWP machines in pubs were to be raised from £15 to £25.
Read the full article...
Police reform is 'scandalous' |
The trade was outraged in December over Government plans to ask licensees at late-night venues to pay for extra police officers to patrol Britain's streets. The radical move, announced as part of the police reform White Paper, angered trade leaders, who described the proposals as "scandalous" and said they "amounted to extortion".
Read the full article...
Full pint back on the agenda |
November saw the full pint debate under the spotlight again, when MPs launched a controversial campaign to stop pubs serving less than a full liquid pint. The Commons motion tabled read: "We consider that when ordering a pint measure, beer and cider drinkers should receive a full liquid pint without having to ask for a top up."
Read the full article...
Trade hits out at 'flawed' bill |
In May, the trade was set to unveil its own alternative licensing bill after attacking the Home Office's reform plans. Licensees and key industry figures slammed the decision to move licensing control from magistrates to local authorities, describing it as "flawed" and "unworkable".
Read the full article...Download the alternative bill in its entirety...
An honourable mention should go to our Drink like Johnny Foreigner article, which was hugely popular with you, generating over 40 comments. This campaign, independent of thePublican.com, aimed to lobby the government to extend Britain's opening hours to bring us in line with our European counterparts.
