InBrief
Island trade up
CI Traders, the Channel Islands-based pub, bar and restaurant operator, reported a 4.3% like-for-like sales increase for the 21 weeks to 29 July 2006. But its managed pub estate in Guernsey only reported a 1.8% increase, which the company put down to the smoking ban, introduced on the island in July 2006. Overall turnover was up 1.7% to £138.7m.
Charity dinner
Hospitality Action, the benevolent organisation, has a new logo to mark its 170th birthday. A series of charity events are also due to celebrate the occasion, including a bike ride from London to Paris, and a charity dinner at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe on 19 February. For information on up-coming events, see www.hospitalityaction.org.uk or call 020 7614 4309.
Plastic pints?
Police in Oxford are hoping to persuade the city's licensees to use plastic containers in a bid to reduce injuries. The unbreakable containers are already used in five outlets. Inspector Graham Sutherland said: "We are trying to make Oxford a safer place. This will reduce facial injuries and could ultimately save a life."
Pompey beer tent
Licensees in Portsmouth fear their takings will be hit after Portsmouth Football Club announced it is to open a 500-capacity beer tent at its ground on match days. Gary Whittingham, licensee of Mr Pickwick's, said: "It will have a massive effect on my pub - match days are the busiest days of the week. We can make £3,000 on a good day."
Solicitors' office
Licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen is to open an office in central London, to be headed by JD Wetherspoon's former legal director Claire Eames. The office will be at 88 Kingsway, Holborn. Eames previously worked at McLellans solicitors in Hertfordshire, where her clients included JDW and Barracuda. Jonathan Smith, managing partner at Popplestion, said: "Her expertise will prove to be an invaluable asset."
Pubwatch pictures
Police in Wigan have said they will try to release pictures of banned troublemakers to the town's licensees as soon as possible. Earlier this month police refused to hand them over during a pubwatch meeting, fearing that doing so would break data protection laws. Supt Shaun Currie told Wigan Today that he hoped the pictures will be ready to release within three months.
