What the Sunday papers said

The Mail on Sunday

• Speculation is growing that Deutsche Bank, owner of Laurel Pub Company, is looking to sell the managed house group. Laurel was a losing bidder in the recent battle to buy Scottish & Newcastle Retail. Read more on thePublican.com.

The Business​

• Pubs are selling as never before, with specialist estate agencies reporting that demand is exceeding supply. Read more on thePublican.com.

Allied Domecq is pondering its options after losing the battle for Australian winemaker Peter Lehmann. Allied, which reports results on Tuesday, is keen to find an Australian wine brand to plug a hole in its portfolio.

The Sunday Telegraph​

• In a profile piece, Mitchells & Butlers chairman Roger Carr says the company was right not to pursue S&N Retail. "We felt we could create value at £2.3bn to £2.4bn," he says. "We are not unhappy. Spirit faces a high level of debt and a big integration project."
  
• Supermarkets will be banned from opening on Christmas Day this year. At least one retail chain opened on December 25, 2002.

The Sunday Times​

• In the latest round of brewery price increases, the wholesale cost of Britain's best-known beers has risen by 11 per cent.

The Independent on Sunday​

• Gordon Brown will have to reveal a black hole in his finances of anything between £9bn and £14bn, figures published today will show.

More than 2,000 tons of fireworks are being sold illegally in Britain, part of a growing black market in illicit explosives being targeted by police.

The Sunday Express​

• Tony Blair has shelved plans to introduce compulsory ID cards, because he has learned that the cost will be at least twice the £3.2bn that the Home Office claimed. Read more on thePublican.com.

Less money is spent by the Government on anti-smoking campaigns than the cost of a packet of cigarettes for every smoker.

Allied Domecq should report a pick up in trading this week but the impact of a weaker US dollar is likely to leave profits flat at £480m.

The Observer​

• Television adverts for sweets and crisps during children's programmes could be blocked in an effort to prevent soaring levels of child obesity.

A radical shake-up of consumer credit legislation is due to be unveiled by the Government amid growing concern about soaring debt and high credit card interest rates.