Union launches national smoking ballot

Drinkers are being given the chance to shape the future of pubs in a nationwide smoking ballot, launched this week by Burton-based Union Pub Company.

Nearly 90% of UPC's 1,200 pubs are running customer and staff polls during the next few months.

The move is particularly significant in view of the Government's recent White Paper on health, which plans to ban smoking in all food pubs by the end of 2008. UPC has teamed up with the Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) to implement the initiative.

UPC's managing director Stephen Oliver said: "The impending legislation means that licensees need to start talking to their customers now to explain what the law will mean to them.

"For food pubs the ban will be automatic, while non-food pubs will be exempt. But there's a real dilemma for pubs where food plays a small but important part of the business.

"The ballots will give our licensees the chance to gather some valuable information which will help them to make the right choice for their pub, their staff and their customers."

Carlsberg stocks safe as strike averted

Christmas supplies of Carlsberg are safe after a last-minute deal averted a planned strike by disgruntled workers at the company's Northampton brewery.

Workers will receive a 2.3% pay rise backdated to August 2004 as part of a one-year deal which includes a package of more flexible working practices. However, the planned restructuring will still go ahead but has been delayed by three months until April to allow for further consultation and training to take place.

JDW rules out pre-Christmas price rises

Managed operator JD Wetherspoon has denied that it will put up prices again before Christmas. Douglas Jack, Panmure Gordon analyst, said: "Management confirmed to us on Friday that they are not increasing prices." In November, the company raised the price of Stella Artois, Carling and Guinness by 10p, a bottle of wine by £1, Diet Pepsi by 6p and mixers by 11p.

Pub calls time on cider speed promo

A Kent pub abandoned plans to offer a free pint of cider for anyone who could drink three pints of the stuff in 45 minutes after the council and police voiced concerns.

The new licensees of the Ivy House in Tyler Hill, near Canterbury, decided not to go ahead after police and the city council said it could lead to people getting drunk too quickly and causing disorder.