What the Sunday papers said
The Mail on Sunday
- Britain's biggest pub chains have accused satellite broadcaster Sky of abusing its monopoly position. As reported on thePublican.com, Sky has raised prices by up to 22 per cent for pubs and bars wanting to show Premiership football. Read more on thePublican.com...
The number of profit warnings has plunged to its lowest level on record - but analysts say this does not mean business is booming. Only 39 companies issued warnings between April and June.
The Independent on Sunday
- All Britons over 16 years old will be required to buy their own identity cards for around £40. The Home Secretary David Blunkett is expected to make an announcement in Parliament this month, with legislation introduced by the end of the year. Read more on thePublican.com...
The Independent also reports that BSkyB is planning to hike its prices for satellite TV in pubs and clubs, prompting cuts in the number of venues showing live football. Read more on thePublican.com...
The Sunday Telegraph
- Bacardi, the secretive Bermuda-based drinks group, has seen its profits slump following a big increase in tax charged on alcopops (premium-packaged spirits).
SHAREWATCH: Enterprise Inns is on the verge of the FTSE100 index - an extraordinary feat for a company that floated in 1995 with 489 pubs and a market value of £58.7m. The group now has 5,142 pubs and is worth £1.4bn. However, the Telegraph says given the steady rise of the share-price, investors would be foolish not to take some profits.
Sir Brian Stewart, the long-standing head of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), has taken the chairmanship at troubled insurer Standard Life. He plans to rebuild confidence in the business. Sir Brian recently made way for Tony Froggatt at the helm of S&N.
The Sunday Express
- Le Meridien, the troubled hotel chain part-owned by Guy Hands' new firm Terra Firma, has negotiated a rescue deal with its creditors.
The Observer
- The Bank of England is likely to hold off cutting base rates this week after it convenes for its first monetary policy meeting under new management.
