What the Sunday papers said

The Mail on Sunday

• Pubs 'n' Bars has signed a deal to take over half the sites of the failed Balaclava Pub Company, it will announce tomorrow.

The national press have caught up with government "reforms" of property taxes. New stamp duty levies will cost UK business £200m and could see further rises to the cost of a pint.

The Sunday Telegraph​

• Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, will come under pressure this week to end the escalating crisis in the Scotch whisky industry by ceasing to market its leading Cardhu brand as a "pure" malt whisky.

The Sunday Express​

• Muslim leaders are calling for a shake-up of consumer laws in Britain after discovering that two of the UK's most popular soft drinks contain alcohol.

American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme, owned by drinks giant Allied Domecq, has sparked outrage with plans to get young children hooked on its unhealthy snacks.

The Express also picks up on new stamp duty laws, which come into force tomorrow (Monday). The new scheme will see many high street businesses that rent or lease a building, like a pub, face sharp increases in property taxes.

The Observer​

• A City consortium spearheaded by Collins Stewart, the stockbroker, has won a £300m bidding war to acquire UK holiday company Center Parcs.

MEPs are calling for the European Commission to investigate drinks company Diageo's branding policy, which has rocked the Scotch whisky industry.

Hip Hop stars such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes - who raps about the virtues of Courvoisier cognac - are making street music big business in the boardrooms of consumer goods makers.

The Independent on Sunday​

• People who smoke socially or 'part time' are as much at risk as those on the weed all week. "Smoking up to 30 cigarettes in a night is a very big hit on the heart and lungs," said one doctor.

It's a big week for drinks and pub companies in the City this week. Groups reporting financial results include Belhaven Group (Monday), Scottish & Newcastle (Tuesday), Wolverhampton & Dudley (Wednesday) and Mitchells & Butlers (Thursday).

Forget the Atkins - the next diet set to take off is the Stone Age diet. It may be more than a million years old but a regime of organic meat, or a leg of game bird, accompanied by fresh leaves, nuts and fruit, washed down with water is just about perfect for the human body.

The Sunday Times​

• A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce shows the new stamp duty charges will hit many UK businesses. A firm with an annual rent of £50,000 and a 20-year lease will pay five times more.