European Union

EU will look at whether beer tie is legal

Euro bid on beer tie now open

By Ewan Turney

Both sides of the pubco debate have about eight weeks to make their cases to Europe as it re-examines the beer tie. The European front in the beer...

MPs back pro-pub beer tax call

MPs back pro-pub beer tax call

By John Harrington

MPs are backing the call for Europe to allow the UK to set a lower rate of duty for draught beer sold in pubs. Fifteen to date have signed an Early Day Motion petition.

Protz: campaigners should be wary of forcing the break up of the tie

Beware of EU prying into tie

By Roger Protz

The GMB trade union should consider the overall impact before taking grievances over the tie to Europe, says Roger Protz.

EU: review of opt-outs from competition law

EU prepared to alter beer tie

By John Harrington

The EU has indicated its upcoming review of the beer tie could lead to changes in how the tie fits within European competition law. It also revealed...

Fair Pint: targeting Europe

Fair Pint marches on Europe

By John Harrington & Gemma McKenna

A powerful alliance of anti-pubco campaigners is looking to Europe for a new front in their battle to break the beer tie. Fair Pint and the...

Alistair Darling: man behind the tax hikes

British beer tax near top of Euro league

By Ewan Turney

British beer drinkers pay more than nine times more duty than drinkers in Germany and France, new figures on tax rates show. Across the 27 EU...

Protz: readers should voye in European elections

Make your vote count

By Roger Protz

European elections take place on 4 June, so make the most of your chance to benefit brewers and licensees, says Roger Protz.

Punch: disappointed at report

Punch: reject Competition Commission calls

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...

Grogan: wants more free sport

Pubs must be given a sporting chance

By John Grogan

As the summer fast approaches the temperature in the simmering debate about televised sport in pubs is about to rise, says John Grogan.

There are an estimated 6,000 foreign satellite cards in the UK

Foreign satellite footie on the slide

By Tony Halstead

There has been a sizeable drop in the number of pubs screening football via foreign satellite systems, after two foreign broadcasters within Europe...

22 pubs were fined for foreign satellite offences

£42.5k paid in satellite fines

By John Harrington

Licensees at 22 pubs were forced to pay between £500 and £6,000 in fines for foreign satellite screenings since July 2008, the MA has learnt. An...

Grogan: pubs need help

Will 2009 be a better year for pubs?

By John Grogan

Will 2009 be the year that pubs at last gain a place at the centre of the political agenda like that other great British institution, the post office, asks John Grogan.

Island mentality

Island mentality

Just off the coast of Northern France lie the Channel Islands: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and a few others whose tiny populations apparently...

Murphy: appeal could take up to two years

Two TV football cases put on hold

By John Harrington

Two licensees have had prosecutions for screening Premiership football via North African channel ART put on hold until Murphy appeal.

MPS: 60 prosecutions so far this season

New season, new foreign sat prosecutions

By John Harrington

Licensees at more than 60 pubs face prosecution for screening Premiership football via foreign satellite systems so far this season, according to Media Protection Services.

Wine: Labelling is under scrutiny

WSTA hits back at mis-labelling of wine claims

By Ewan Turney

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has hit back against claims that wine is mis-labelled and full of artificial flavourings and additives to mimic the tatste of grapes.