'Ex-Royal Marine in deal to bring cigarettes back to pubs'

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JD Wetherspoon, the pub operator, is in advanced talks over a £500 million debt refinancing that would put it in a position to restore the dividend...

JD Wetherspoon, the pub operator, is in advanced talks over a £500 million debt refinancing that would put it in a position to restore the dividend payments that were suspended this time last year. The group, best known for its cheap beer and value-for-money meals, is understood to have launched the syndication of a four-year £500 million facility arranged by BNP Paribas, HSBC, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Under this new facility, it is expected to pay about 240 basis points over Libor — more than three times the rate it is paying on its main £435 million facility with BNP Paribas, Lloyds and RBS, an arrangement that expires at the end of this year. - Times Online

The whisky industry insisted yesterday that it would lose out if minimum prices were applied to alcohol. A Holyrood committee heard claims that the Scottish government plan could wipe up to £600million from annual exports and lead to job losses. Some MSPs argue that only a tiny proportion of the industry's sales will be affected by the proposed Alcohol Bill, given the "premium" cost of whisky. But Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Gavin Hewitt told the finance committee other countries would use the legislation to create trade barriers to protect their domestic brands. - The Press and Journal

The cost of some alcoholic drinks in Jersey is to go up despite there being no increase in alcohol duty for 2010, publicans have said. The States Assembly rejected a move in December to increase tax on petrol, alcohol and tobacco in the budget. Mark Crowther, of the Liberation Group, the largest pub and drinks firm in the Channel Islands, said UK suppliers' price rises would affect Jersey. He said rising UK utility bills had pushed up manufacturing costs. - BBC News Online

A former Royal Marine has sealed a potentially lucrative deal which could see 'cigarettes' return to thousands of British pubs for the first time since the smoking ban. Andrew Wrench, 35, is the managing director of Notar UK, a Warrington-based company which has the exclusive UK rights to distribute the 'Similar' brand of German cigarette alternatives. Mr Wrench, who grew up in Wythenshawe and now lives in Lymm, has now signed a distribution deal with the pub vending machine operator Cherwell Group. Cherwell has agreed to offer Similar products from its vending machines throughout the country and is now planning to roll out the new line at a rate of 300 pubs per month. - The Manchester Evening News

A couple were threatened by masked men armed with blades in one of four overnight pub raids across south Lincolnshire in the space of an hour. The Duke of York in Gosberton Risegate was the last pub to be targeted on Monday morning when three men burst into the bar, attacking gaming machines and taking an unknown amount of cigarettes, money and jewellery. The burglars broke through the front door locks and forced their way into the bedroom of landlady Susan Goodenough and her partner Phil Britten brandishing knives. On that night (January 25, 2009) masked men also targeted four venues in south Lincolnshire and attacked a landlady. - Spalding Today

The AA is bringing its travel expertise to the iPhone with an app for finding the best hotels, restaurants and pubs across the UK. The Best Of Britain app allows users to search over 14,000 entries and with over 5,000 images. Searches can be refined by location, star rating and even to specific requirements - such as offering disabled access or if a restaurant is family friendly. - The Press Association

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