14-Oct-2014 By James Wallin
The pub sector has been warned that it cannot continue to rely on under-25s to solve its recruitment woes.
07-Aug-2013 By Gurjit Degun
East Kent Goldings hops have become the first variety to have their name legally protected against imitation.
Alcohol Strategy is "aggressive" tactic, claims WSTA chief
27-Sep-2012 By Michelle Perrett
The Government has taken an “aggressive change of tactics” towards the drinks industry with its plans for Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP), the new chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has claimed.
08-Dec-2010 By Lesley Foottit
Smokers' lobby group Forest has launched an online petition against new proposals to regulate tobacco throughout the European Union. Proposed...
BBPA welcomes EU beer tie ruling
21-Apr-2010 By James Wilmore
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed a ruling on the beer tie which confirms the model complies with EU competition rules....
20-Apr-2010 By John Harrington
The EU has renewed the regulations that permit the beer tie for another 10 years, with few changes that will impact on pubs and brewers. The Block...
26-Nov-2009 By John Harrington
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is "seriously concerned" about the EU's plan to shake up competition regulations.
06-Nov-2009 By Ewan Turney
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is to launch a challenge to the Office of Fair Trading investigation that gave the pubco model a clean bill of health.
Scotland undeterred on minimum price plan
19-Oct-2009 By Matt Eley Matt
The Scottish government has hit back at claims its plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol could be scuppered by a new European Commission...
EC declares cigarette minimum pricing against the law
16-Oct-2009 By Matt Eley Matt
Moves to introduce a minimum price on alcohol in Scotland may have been dealt a blow by the European Commission. The Commission has stated that it...
15-Sep-2009 By Ewan Turney
A minimum price on alcohol could damage competition and reduce innovation in the retail sector, the boss of the Office of Fair Trading has warned.
Fair Pint/GMB meeting EC officials now over tie
08-Sep-2009 By James Wilmore
Fair Pint campaigners and a senior GMB representative are currently meeting European Commission officials to persuade them the beer tie is...
04-Sep-2009 By Ewan Turney
Anti-pubco campaigners will tell EU officials the pubco mediation process is a sham and action is needed to outlaw the beer tie. The GMB Union and...
'Eurocrats warn minimum pricing could be illegal'
19-Jul-2009
"Eurocrats have warned Scottish National Party plans to ban cut-price booze could be illegal. The European Commission says if a minimum price makes...
UKIP raises concern over EC smoke ban plans
30-Jun-2009 By James Wilmore
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has raised major concerns about new EU plans on smoking, which it claims could lead to a clampdown on smokers...
'People with cancer caused by alcohol "could fill Wimbledon's Centre Court"'
29-Jun-2009 By Matt Eley Matt
More people are diagnosed with cancer caused by alcohol each year than can fit in Wimbledon's Centre Court, an expert has warned. More than 20,000...
19-Jun-2009 By Roger Protz
The GMB trade union should consider the overall impact before taking grievances over the tie to Europe, says Roger Protz.
09-Jun-2009 By Ewan Turney
Brulines is working with Trading Standards to establish steps to improve the calibration of its equipment, the beer flow monitoring company has said....
Government minister "pleased" OFT may look at pubco issues
14-May-2009 By James Wilmore
A government minister has said he is aware of the "concerns" around pubco power and is "pleased" the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) might re-examine...
13-May-2009 By Ewan Turney
Britain's biggest pubco Punch Taverns has called on the Government to reject calls for a market investigation by the Competition Commission. Punch...
EC agrees to VAT cut on pub meals
11-Mar-2009 By Matt Eley Matt
Pubs could be in line to make savings on meals after the European Commission agreed to allow member states to reduce VAT rates in a range of sectors....
I want to break free
03-Sep-2008 By Hamish Champ
If the nation's pubcos had followed the recommendations of the Trade & Industry Select Committee's (TISC) findings four years ago, they might not...
28-Aug-2008 By John Harrington
Proposal from Europe could give the green light for VAT to fall as low as 5% - but only if the UK Government agrees
Patio heaters: a hot potato for the trade
11-Feb-2008
Seven months after the smoking ban was introduced in England, pubs are bracing themselves for another prohibition. This time, the hot topic is patio...
Will patio heaters go up in smoke?
07-Feb-2008 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed.co.u
Ban on outdoor heaters could cost trade £25Om a year Pubs face the prospect of a ban on patio heaters that could cost the trade £250m a year in...
31-Jan-2008 By Ewan Turney
Euro MPs have voted in favour of phasing out the use of patio heaters today. However, a spokesman for the European Commission moved to dampen fears...
MyShout
30-Nov-2007
The possibility that Scottish & Newcastle could be bought should concern us all, says John Grogan Last weekend's financial press reported that...
Twelve ounce steak safe as Brussels backs off
09-May-2007
Pubs can continue giving the weight of steaks in ounces on the menu after the European Commission (EC) confirmed that plans to outlaw imperial...
MyShout
01-Mar-2007
An MP's mail can be a useful barometer of parliamentary and public opinion, says John Grogan My parliamentary mailbag this month has been dominated...
08-Aug-2006
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has slammed proposals to introduce Europe-wide restrictions on alcohol sales which could increase prices...
20-Jul-2006 By Iain O'Neil
Treasury minister John Healey said pubs are important to local communities and the British economy and has pledged his support for the trade....
Crehan case could be delayed
23-May-2006
The landmark case of Bernie Crehan Vs Inntrepreneur could be further delayed because of spiralling costs and possible intervention by the Office of...
EC commissions report from group with temperance links
17-May-2006
The alcohol industry is up in arms as authors with links to the temperance movement have submitted a report on alcohol to the European Commission....
Sky heading for footy defeat
27-Oct-2005
Sky looks set to lose its monopoly on Premier League football as the European Commission (EC) considers new plans for the division of TV rights. The...
What the Sunday papers said
10-Oct-2005
Smoking will be banned outright in pubs and bars under new government proposals. Ministers have ditched plans to exempt pubs that do not serve food...
What the Sunday papers said
18-Sep-2005
The government appeared to be watering down its proposals to allow pubs and clubs to open around the clock. Following a major Cabinet revolt the Mail...
Blair will use opt-out to thwart 48-hour week
19-May-2005
by John Harrington The European Parliament has voted to scrap the right of countries to opt out of the Working Time Directive. The move, if enacted,...
EU crackdown threatenedover pub menu labelling
27-Jan-2005
by Max Gosney Pubs failing to adopt clearer menu labelling to tackle obesity could face a European Union (EU) crackdown. EU health and consumer...
Laurel and union agree on 48-hour initiative
01-Apr-2004 By Claire Hu
Laurel will work towards implementing a 48-hour working week for pub managers who request it, as part of a drive to encourage employees to "work...
Trade cautious over Sky decision
18-Dec-2003
The trade has given a cautious welcome to the news that Sky TV's monopoly on live Premiership football has been broken.Earlier this week the European...
EC says industry must do more to curtail employee hours
20-Nov-2003
Trade faces threat of working hours limit by Claire Hu The licensed trade could be forced to implement the 48-hour working week unless it does more...
Sky may face EC challenge
09-Oct-2003
Plans to block broadcasting giant Sky's monopoly of Premiership football look more likely following the latest outburst from European Union...
Blair backs trade over smoking ban
25-Sep-2003
The UK government looks set to clash head-on with the European Commission (EC) over a smoking ban in pubs and bars. Prime Minister Tony Blair (right)...
What the Sunday papers said
08-Sep-2003
The Sunday TimesPunch Taverns is raising £300m to fund a new acquisition spree. Its chief executive is understood to have made a tentative merger...
EC threat to Sky's £1bn live football deal
24-Jul-2003
Broadcasting giant Sky could see its plan to buy up all football match rights from the Premier League blocked by the European Commission (EC).The EC...
European plans for temporary workers stalled
05-Jun-2003
Licensees will be relieved to learn that plans to give temporary workers the same rights as permanent staff have stalled in Europe.The ruling would...
Opt-out clauses cause managers to work till they drop'
22-May-2003
by Claire Hu The Sky survey has re-ignited the debate about the 48-hour working week, with union leaders claiming opt-out clauses used by many pub...
Seasonal greetings for trade as consumer confidence grows
05-Dec-2002
Pubs across the country should enjoy a busy Christmas and New Year after a consumer survey revealed people are optimistic about the state of the...
Pub's plight makes MA noise seminar a must
03-Oct-2002
By Graham Ridout A pub's future still hangs in the balance after a court hearing, which would decide whether to revoke its public entertainment...
Trade celebrates as noise proposal is finally silenced
14-Mar-2002
The trade is celebrating after winning its battle against European proposals to impose noise restrictions in pubs.MEPs have voted to amend the...
