Black Sheep boom
The Black Sheep Brewery has seen turnover rise 13% to top £10m for the first time. The North Yorkshire-based brewery recorded pre-tax profits of £715,000 up 17% on the previous year. Chairman Richard Harbottle said that increased demand had left them "bursting at the seams", but the £3m plan expansion of its brewery, expected to be completed by 2004, should ease the problem. Burton awards Burton Brewery has announced the winners of its Best in Burtonwood award for the best-looking pubs. The Euxton Mills in Chorley, Lancashire, received the Best Floral Display award while the New Inns in Brewood, Staffordshire, was judged to have the Best Pub Garden. Entrants were judged on the impact and colour of their pub and the condition of plants. The winners received £500. Plea to halt pubs A Bedford councillor has urged planning bosses to stop more pubs and clubs opening in the town, because he fears a rise in alcohol-fuelled disorder. Cllr Tony Hare's plea was sparked by the closure of a large pizza restaurant in the town centre, leaving a vacant space that he fears could be filled by a large pub. Fire fuels lawsuit Whitbread has launched a £2m damages claim after a fire in a Brewers Fayre pub and restaurant in Scotland. A small fire in the kitchen of the Monkton Lodge in Monkton, Ayrshire, spread to the roof and turned into a massive blaze, causing extensive damage, according to the company. Whitbread is suing kitchen supplier Prisma and duct-work supplier RM Fritton for negligence. Wine fights smokes Drinking red wine with a cigarette may guard against the harmful effects of smoking, according to a new study. Two glasses could be enough to stop the damage to the arteries caused by one cigarette because, researchers said, red wine is rich in chemicals known as polyphenols. But experts added that the findings do not prove that wine can reverse the damage of long-term smoking. Crowning glory Lincolnshire-based brewer and retailer Batemans has bought its 72nd pub the Crown at Trunch, north Norfolk. The pub, which is tenanted, has a reputation for a wide variety of cask ales and a "wholesome" food offer. Batemans has also revealed that another new acquisition is in the pipeline.
