'SABMiller and InBev tipped to target Cobra'

Cobra Beer is being tipped as a potential bid target for bigger rivals including SABMiller and InBev, following the collapse of talks with Diageo, the makers of Guinness - The Times​

Britvic has warned that the Irish economy, which is on the verge of recession, was taking a heavy toll on soft-drink sales and said its full-year Irish profits would miss expectations - The Financial Times​

Enterprise Inns has been ejected from the FTSE 100 and is further proof of how far the pub sector has fallen over the past 12 months. Apart from the smoking ban and the consumer spending downturn, the group has also fallen prey to doubts over its balance sheet - The Financial Times​

A wind farm which could help to fund a community buyout of a 17th century pub has been given approval. Novera Energy plans to build 11 turbines between two tributaries of the River Tweed in the Borders. As part of the scheme the firm will pay £40,000 a year into a community trust which locals hope could help them to buy and run the Crook Inn at Tweedsmuir - BBC News​

Benet Slay, the managing director of the British arm of Diageo has spoken out about claims that the drinks industry is to blame for the consequences of alcohol abuse. Slay argues that a partnership between the industry, government and the public is the best way to tackle misuse. "Legislation tends to be broad brush and would penalise the majority in order to get after the few - that is our concern." - The Guardian​