Has Sky reached its limit?
Howls of protest greeted increased Sky subscriptions during the summer. The Morning Advertiser news desk had never received so many angry phone...
Archives for November 4, 2004
Must do better
When it comes to preparing and serving food, we British are hopeless, says Andrew Jefford "More in sorrow than in anger" is, you will remember, the...
Hosts face curbs in Bournemouth
Hosts in Bournemouth are being urged to take on extra responsibility for their surrounding area including routine checks for litter and damage to properties as part of a new police-led accreditation and award programme for pubs and clubs
Core elements
Home-grown organic apples and pears are the key ingredients for success at Dunkertons, a cider operation that also runs a restaurant. Susan Nowak...
Motorists driven by good pub food, says AA survey
by MA Reporter One-fifth of pub-goers say that good food is the most important factor when choosing a pub. This was one of the findings of a survey...
Honesty shines in Pale Rider deal
On a crisp autumn day, I found myself in deepest rural Essex tasting a Yorkshire beer produced in a brewery founded by a family from Northumberland....
Beware of rate appeal scam warns Fleurets
by John Harrington Licensees are being warned to beware of "experts" who try to sponge money from hosts who want to appeal against the provisional...
Masked raiders haul host from his bed
A host was woken by two masked men and threatened with a knife during an early-morning robbery in Manchester. The two raiders got into the Bandstand...
Property round-up
The Long Cross Hotel at Trelights, Nr. Port Isaac, North Cornwall, is a Victorian country house hotel offering 14 en-suite bedrooms. Within the...
Licensees urged to get into Christmas spirit for charity
A fundraising campaign from Age Concern, backed by The Publican, means there are unlikely to be many Silent Nights in pubs this December.Licensees...
Alcohol Concern goads trade over binge-drinking
The pub trade has been left fuming after Alcohol Concern accused it of "running scared" on the issue of binge-drinking.The organisation has stoked...
JDW blasted for not joining responsible drinking scheme
JD Wetherspoon has come under fire from licensees and a local council for failing to join up to a voluntary scheme to curb excessive drinking.Police...
Freedom for Pubs body opens consumer front
A new front has opened in the Freedom for Pubs (FFPA) campaign with a drive to get pub customers involved to "save their local".
Reaching for the Sky
Sky enraged pub subscribers during the summer by increasing the cost of its standard package by 18% and Prem Plus by 300%. The PMA Team meets its...
Sky: shop pubs that show sport illegally
Broadcaster opts for pint-glass bug by Tony Halstead Sky is encouraging licensees to shop other pubs that show sport illegally. The satellite...
Entering the spirit world
The popularity of spirits offers the best indication for future innovation in RTDs. But buyers are warning that copycat flavours will not succeed...
Battle of the bottle
In the face of steep decline, suppliers of ready-to-drinks (RTDs) are desperate to come up with the next innovation to capture consumer interest
Plan ahead for bank holiday extensions
I have been asked to expand a little on the answer I gave to a reader on 30 September (New Year's Eve hours, Morning Advertiser) concerning bank holiday extensions
BBC seeks kitchen turmoil'
TV producers are looking for licensees who want to make their "argumentative kitchens" happier places. BBC2 is filming a series in which an expert...
British pubs and clubs show a fall in numbers
The number of pubs and clubs in Britain fell by 2% in the past year, according to new data from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)
Top 10 RTD brands
2004 ranking* 2003 ranking* Smirnoff Ice 1 1 WKD 2 2 Bacardi Breezer 3 3 Reef 4 4 VK 5 5 Archers Aqua 6 6 Red Square 7 7 Vodka Mudshake 8 22 Chekov...
For Crown and Country
The Morning Advertiser has teamed up with Imperial Tobacco to find the UK's most characterful licensee. NIGEL HUDDLESTON meets ex-Army man Alan...
Dining high on list for Plume's owners
Princetown's oldest building, the Plume of Feathers, has been sold for the first time in 36 years. A sister-and-brother partnership Pat Weir and...
An honest approach
The Alan Percival philosophy of being a good host is based on intelligence and genuine warmth rather than larger-than-life gimmickry. There are no...
A round with The Publican
What made the news in The Publican this week 10 years ago, five years ago and last year.1994Licensees in Brixton, Camberwell and Clapham in South...
We all have a part to play to combat binge drinking'
We were delighted that Roger Protz praised the Coors Beer Naturally Campaign in last week's Morning Advertiser, but surprised that he chose to...
Licensing fee structure announced at Publican Conference
The proposed fee structure for the new licensing regime has been unveiled exclusively at today's Publican Conference by licensing minister Richard...
Reform spells budget woe for 40% of councils
Four in 10 local authorities in England and Wales have contacted the Local Government Association (LGA) saying that reform of licensing laws will leave big holes in their budget, the Morning Advertiser has learned
Police praise Workington Pubwatch
Workington Pubwatch has been praised for its "exceptional" work in reducing cases of alcohol-related disorder and for making police more aware of the...
Cover your bases for Christmas hours
Still on the subject of extensions, it seems an appropriate time to review this year's Christmas period, and in particular special parties that you...
Drink Talking: John McNamara
Will the constant negative coverage of the drinks industry ever stop asks John McNamara, chief executive of the BII.Once again the industry has been...
Property company in the bidding for Laurel
by The PMA Team A property company has been named as the third bidder in the Laurel Pub Company auction. St James Place Capital, the majority...
It's time for action
MP John Grogan outlines his concerns for licensees and urges pubs to respond. In a call to arms, MP and trade supporter John Grogan last week urged...
Ofcom code for adverts hailed as firm but fair'
by Ewan Turney The drinks industry has welcomed revised rules on alcohol advertising issued by watchdog body Ofcom. Earlier draft proposals had been...
Camper van guide seeks pub listings
Pubs that are willing to house camper vans will be able to take advantage of a lucrative and growing market by being included in a forthcoming...
Pub chains cut back on RTD brands
High-street pub chains are slashing the number of ready-to-drink brands on shelves to concentrate on stocking more profitable lines. Sales of RTDs...