'Celebrity chef to try and save pubs'

It has emerged that celebrity chef Rick Stein is muscling in on the local pub trade. Stein has bought the Cornish Arms in St Merryn to - as he puts it - 'help preserve the Great British local'. It is a new venture for Stein, who has been accused of taking over Padstow with his businesses. He already has four restaurants there - The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc's Bistro, Rick Stein's Cafe and Stein's Fish & Chips - The Daily Mail​

Half of south Wales' pubs could disappear within five years, according to research for BBC Wales Week In Week Out. A mix of the smoking ban, alcohol taxes and the recession are being blamed. David Morgan, an expert on pub economics claimed the situation was being made worse by pub companies who charge landlords too much for rent and beer - BBC​

Embattled regional brewer and pub operator, Adnams, said that trading since August had been worse than expected, with beer volumes down by 6 per cent and its pubs finding trading during November and early December "especially tough". It added that its full-year profits would be substantially lower than last time - The Times​

A single mother who attacked a barmaid with a pool ball after being refused a drink has been banned from all pubs for a year. Rita Lawton, 40, flew into a violent rage when the assistant manager of the Crown and Anchor in Victoria Road refused to serve her another drink - Northampton Circle​

Japan's second-largest brewery, Kirin Holdings Co, said it plans to buy a 43 percent stake in the beer unit of Philippine conglomerate San Miguel Corp, in a deal that could cost over $1.26 billion - Reuters​