'Neame calls on government to stand up for pubs'

In a column for The Times Shepherd Neame boss Jonathan Neame writes: " Most people in the country want to have a strong, vibrant pub near them, characterised by great beer, good food and wine and, crucially, good ambience and fellowship. Such pubs exist, but they are struggling against a government that has come to regard pubs as a tax-collection point on one hand and a social problem on the other. In today's Pre-Budget Report I hope that HM Treasury will stand up for beer and pubs and recognise what their figures have shown them for five years: raising taxes on beer does not increase revenue, but simply squeezes the producer, closes pubs and reduces VAT" - The Times​

The Hotel du Vin group is launching a chain of posh pubs with rooms, using the slogan - 'beer is the new wine'. Last week in Brighton the company unveiled its new concept, the first Pub du Vin, a prototype for a new chain of pubs with 10 to 12 bedrooms that will soon be rolled out around the country. Officially, bosses remain tight-lipped about the exact extent of their expansion plans, but privately there is bullish talk of opening as many as 50 pubs in the next four years - The Guardian​

Cobra Beer Ltd founder Karan Bilimoria is considering a sale of the London-based beverage business. Cobra is "looking at a strategic partnership or a sale in order to achieve the full potential of the business," and appointed NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd. as adviser "to assist with planning for the next stage" of the company's development, Cobra said in an e-mailed statement today. A sale may raise £200m - Bloomberg​

Parents who allow their children to get drunk in the family home are "beyond irresponsible" and "failing in their duty of care", says one of Scotland's most senior police officers. Tom Halpin, temporary chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, has delivered a sweeping condemnation of middle-class parents who think it is acceptable to buy alcohol for their under-age children or let them drink with friends. It comes as the force today launches its strategy to tackle alcohol-related problems - The Scotsman​