General news - Politics Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

London council acts to protect pubs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:13:00 GMT

Pubs should be protected as they perform a vital community service — that was the view of councillors at Hammersmith and Fulham Council last week.

Cigarette vending machine supplier 'incensed' over ban

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:50:00 GMT

A pub cigarette vending machine supplier has lashed out over proposals to ban machines and disregard new technology.

New Bill to protect threatened pubs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Campaigning MP Greg Mulholland has introduced a Bill in Parliament to give extra protection to stop facilities such as pubs disappearing.

IPC: we are true voice of pub trade

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:59:00 GMT

The newly formed Independent Pub Confederation (IPC) told MPs it represented the true voice of the pub trade at a meeting last night.

'Publish code in next 24hrs or we will'

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:59:00 GMT

Publish your new code of practice in the next 24 hours or we will — that’s the challenge to the British Beer and Pub Association.

BrewDog complains about own beer

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:56:00 GMT

Scottish brewer BrewDog lodged a complaint about its own beer with Portman Group, managing director James Watt has revealed.

WSTA urges duty cut on wine and spirits

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:42:00 GMT

The WSTA is urging the Treasury to cut duty rates on wine and spirits when it restores VAT to 17.5% at the end of the year.

Lords vote for pub cigarette machine ban

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:40:00 GMT

A total ban on cigarette vending machines looks almost inevitable after Lords rejected an attempt to stop it.

MP slams BBPA over pub code debate refusal

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:55:00 GMT

A pro-pub tenant MP has slammed the British Beer and Pub Association for refusing to debate its new industry code of practice in public.

Pubwatch welcomes cautions review

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:54:00 GMT

National Pubwatch urges Government to ensure its review of the use of cautions for violence will mean proper justice for attacked licensees.

Pubwatch campaign backed by top prosecutor

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:18:00 GMT

Calls from the country’s top prosecutor to end the use of cautions for serious assaults could help the fight for justice for licensees who are attacked.

OFT offers to meet Mulholland

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:51:00 GMT

The OFT has offered to meet with Greg Mulholland MP to fully explain its decision to give the pubco model a clean bill of health.

Blow to Scotland alcohol minimum pricing plans

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:57:00 GMT

Plans to introduce a minimum price on alcohol in Scotland suffered a further significant blow yesterday.

CAMRA to challenge OFT pub ruling

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 GMT

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.

Pro-pub MPs demand OFT investigation

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:38:00 GMT

A pro-pub tenants group of MPs is demanding a formal investigation into the Office of Fair Trading's study that gave the beer tie a clean bill of health.

Pub stings for sales to drunks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:29:00 GMT

Sting operations targeting sales to drunks in pubs are to run in selected parts of the country as the festive season approaches.

Pubs get New Year's Eve VAT concession

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:28:00 GMT

Pubs that open past midnight on New Year's Eve can continue to charge 15% VAT on sales until the early hours of 1 January.

MPs toast National Pub Week

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:39:00 GMT

MPs and industry groups gathered for a pint in Westminster to mark National Pub Week today.

Mulholland slams Chancellor over pub VAT rises

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:06:00 GMT

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland has slammed the Chancellor over his token gesture to delay the VAT rise until the morning of 1 January.

Luff 'suspicious' of pubco promises

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:20:00 GMT

Peter Luff gives his view as his committee announce a new probe into recent industry promises to improve the lot of tenants.

8,000 pubs join £2m Coke driving campaign

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:29:00 GMT

The number of pubs participating in Coca-Cola’s Designated Driver initiative has swelled to 8,000, and this year a £2m campaign will also back the scheme.

Bank plan boost for pubs

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:54:00 GMT

The Government’s plan to set up three or more new banks may make it easier for pubs to access funding, experts predict.

Cobra Beer looks to raise £4.5m in India

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Cobra Beer founder Lord Karan Bilimoria is planning to raise £4.5m to expand in India, according to reports.

Heavy drinkers pay 34p a unit

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:31:00 GMT

Heavy drinkers are paying just 34p for a unit of alcohol — primarily from supermarkets — a new study has revealed.

Pub closed due to faulty CCTV

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:26:00 GMT

A pub closed for three days under police pressure because its CCTV cameras weren’t working.

Pub rateable values rise 23%

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:31:00 GMT

The average pub faces a 23% rise in its rateable value from 2010 — although the most they will pay is 11% more than this year’s bill. That’s according to a survey of almost 3,500 — or 10% of — leased and tenanted pubs in England and Wales.

BBPA: cut beer tax to save pubs

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:45:00 GMT

The Government needs to cut beer tax when VAT returns to its normal level next year or face the prospect of more pubs closing. The Government missed out on £174m worth of revenue from beer duty in first nine months of year.

MPs back National Pub Week

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:14:00 GMT

A group of MPs have thrown their full support behind National Pub Week — the Save the Pub Group has tabled an EDM.

FPB: don't ignore small business

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:01:00 GMT

The Government must not sacrifice support for small businesses to plug the gap in public finances, the FPB has warned.

Luff to meet Government over pubcos

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:15:00 GMT

The damning report by MPs into pubcos is expected to be discussed tomorrow between Consumer Affairs Minister Kevin Brennan and Peter Luff.

BBPA: get on board with new pub code

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:45:00 GMT

The new boss of the British Beer and Pub Association has urged the whole industry to consider its new code and "get on board".

Anti-beer tie campaign nominated for award

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:02:00 GMT

The PR and lobbying firm that works for Fair Pint has been nominated for a major award for its work with the anti-pubco campaign group.

MPs welcome Independent Pub Confederation formation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:51:00 GMT

Vociferous pub campaigner and MP Greg Mulholland has welcomed the formation of the Independent Pub Confederation.

Fair Pint focuses beer tie debate on Europe

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:47:00 GMT

Fair Pint says it’s “full steam ahead” for lobbying Europe over the beer tie despite the UK’s OFT giving the tie a clean bill of health last week.

Pubs face increasing threat of licence review

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Pubs are continuing to expand their trading offers — but face an increasing threat of licence reviews and revocations.

New plans to ease licensing red-tape

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:07:00 GMT

Making it easier to secure temporary events notices, and extending the notice period after a licensee dies, are proposed.

Video exclusive: Gerry Sutcliffe on pub music plans

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:54:00 GMT

Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe talks exclusively to MATV about the Government's plans to reduce red-tape in the licensing of live music.

Pubs could wait a year for PPL refunds

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:34:00 GMT

Licensees could be forced to wait up to a year before they can claim back money from music licensing body PPL following a major legal ruling.

IPC to create unified voice for pub trade

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:09:00 GMT

The newly formed Independent Pub Confederation is to position itself as the trade representative body for Government to talk to about all issues affecting the pub industry.

MP calls for Government to reject OFT pub report

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:50:00 GMT

A Labour MP has called on the Government to reject the Office of Fair Trading conclusion that the beer tie is not restricting choice and price.

Video exclusive: OFT defends beer tie decision

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:18:00 GMT

OFT senior director Simon Williams tells MATV just why it decided to take no further action on the beer tie.

Pubco shares rise after OFT report

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:34:00 GMT

The country's two biggest tenanted and leased operators saw share prices rise yesterday after the OFT delivered its report on the beer tie.

Gov will consider live music exemptions

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:29:00 GMT

The Government would consider extending exemptions for live music to venues with a capacity up to 200 if there was "overwhelming" support.

OFT: no systematic failure in pubco model

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:06:00 GMT

The OFT has recognised there may be some individual examples of poor behaviour by pubcos and tenants but there is no "systematic failure".

Darby: let's get back to business

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:19:00 GMT

Now is the time to draw a line under the pubco-tenant divide and work together to improve the trade, says Marston’s Alastair Darby.

Luff to re-convene pub inquiry committee

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:52:00 GMT

The Business and Enterprise Committee will re-convene to consider proposals put forward to provide a better deal for tenants.

BBPA to focus on reform roll-out

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

The BBPA will now press ahead with its plans to improve transparency following the OFT's decision.

Mulholland: OFT does not care about pub tenants

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:21:00 GMT

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland has slammed the Office of Fair Trading for its "phenomenally poor" decision to take no further action on the beer tie.

Fair Pint: OFT does not understand pubco model

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:20:00 GMT

The Office of Fair Trading has proved it does not understand the pubco business model, says Fair Pint.

OFT will take no further action on pubcos

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will take no further action following the Campaign for Real Ale's super-complaint over pubcos and the beer tie. It found that the beer tie is not having an adverse impact on consumers.

Green light for pub underage ID seizures

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:24:00 GMT

More pub operators will be encouraged to confiscate ID used fraudulently to buy alcohol underage.

Greene King: we will work with others after BBPA exit

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:16:00 GMT

Greene King has vowed it will continue to work with others in the industry but will also focus on its own lobbying, following its exit from BBPA.

Strike action looms at Diageo

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:31:00 GMT

Strike action at Diageo sites in Kilmarnock, Port Dundass and Shieldhall moved a step closer as a ballot of workers opened.

Pubs could save £5k by switching light-bulbs

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:19:00 GMT

Pubs could be spending an extra £5,000 a year by not switching to energy saving light-bulbs.

MA helps to save licensee’s house

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:01:00 GMT

A licensee who was in danger of losing his house over a backdated electricity bill for £5,000 doesn’t have to pay a penny after the Morning Advertiser intervened.

Best Bar None gets tough with venues

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Best Bar None-accredited bars could have their status withdrawn if they don’t adhere to best practice.

Councils recognise pubs’ plight

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:21:00 GMT

Councils are not pushing for higher licence fees because they recognise the strain pubs are under, says new LACORS boss.

Magistrate questions Tory drink plans

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:18:00 GMT

The Conservatives’ hard-line plans to shake-up licensing would quickly face a legal challenge, according to a senior magistrate.

Supermarkets: we're not destroying pubs

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:03:00 GMT

The UK’s biggest supermarkets told MPs that off trade alcohol promotions were not responsible for “destroying traditional pubs”.

Alcohol consumption falls again

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Alcohol consumption is falling at its fastest rate for more than 60 years, according to new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association.

Greater Manchester wants minimum price on alcohol

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:54:00 GMT

Greater Manchester wants to become the first region to introduce a minimum price on alcohol.

Tories promise to help pubs

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:39:00 GMT

A packet of measures to help pubs and small businesses could be on the way from a future Conservative Government.

EC: minimum pricing is illegal

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:25:00 GMT

The European Commission has stated that it believes minimum pricing is illegal — the case relates to minimum price on cigarettes.

Met police to educate on controversial form 696

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:43:00 GMT

The Metropolitan Police plans to educate licensing officers in London on the use of controversial live music form 696.

MP: real need for mandatory pubco reform

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:56:00 GMT

The breakdown of the landmark pub trade mediation talks prove there is a real need for mandatory reform to the tied pub model, says Greg Mulholland.

Pub trade back at loggerheads

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:01:00 GMT

The pub trade is back at loggerheads this afternoon after last-ditch mediation talks failed late last night.

Camra: Government must act on pubcos

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Government and Competition authority intervention are now the only routes to resolving the great pubco-tenant battle, says Camra.

Nation-wide pub ban overturned

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:40:00 GMT

A Bath man who attacked a barman has had his seven-year nation-wide pub ban overturned on appeal.

High Court upholds pubwatch bans

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:41:00 GMT

The High Court has upheld the right of pubwatches to ban individuals from their pubs without question.

More pubs to get top hygiene grades

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:01:00 GMT

More pubs are expected to receive a top rating in the national Scores on the Doors food-hygiene scheme under the latest changes.

Shock pub business rates rise

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Evidence of shocking business rates hikes has emerged, with some licensees set to see bills more than double from next April.

Trade fears Tory plans will hit pubs

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:14:00 GMT

Trade chiefs fear the Conservative Party's hard-line plans for alcohol and licensing will mean more pub closures and penalise responsible operators.

Action cuts anti-social disorder

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:43:00 GMT

Alcohol-related disorder in and near bars in Derby fell 41% after individual action plans were implemented at 20 venues.

Tories to 'tear up' pub licensing regime

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:52:00 GMT

The Tories have vowed to "tear up the lax licensing regime" and force late-night pubs to pay more for a licence. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said he would give residents and councils more powers.

MP: rates hikes a kick in the teeth for pubs

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:50:00 GMT

A Tory MP has slammed the business rates hikes as a "kick in the teeth" for community pubs.

OFT to look at Tennent's lager deal

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:28:00 GMT

The Office of Fair Trading is to look at ABInbev's sale of Tennent's lager to Magners producer C&C Group.

Tories promise tax cuts on new jobs

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:42:00 GMT

The Conservatives have promised to abolish tax on jobs created by new businesses if the party gets into power.

Mulholland probes pub rates fears

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:30:00 GMT

Pro-pub MP Greg Mulholland has written to the Government expressing concerns over reports of bombshell rates bills that are set to hit pubs.

FSB calls for freeze on business regulation

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:20:00 GMT

The Government must put a stop to all new business regulation and simplify red tape if it is to seriously tackle rising unemployment.

Tell us what's happening to your business rates

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The Morning Advertiser wants to know what will happen to your business rates from 2010. Take two minutes to fill in our survey.

Pub safety tips at RDR 2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Insights into schemes to make pubs safer will be offered by key players who are confirmed as speakers at the 2009 Responsible Drinks Retailing conference.

BBPA to lobby would-be MPs

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:27:00 GMT

The British Beer & Pub Association is to lobby scores of prospective parliamentary candidates in the run-up to the general election, the association has revealed.

Notts plans city-wide ban on street drinking

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:49:00 GMT

Nottingham plans to use a new law to inflict a total ban on street drinking.

Simmonds: trade must be on the front foot

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:32:00 GMT

New British Beer & Pub Association boss Brigid Simmonds has urged trade chiefs to talk up the industry as a period of "soundbite politics" begins as the General Election draws near.

On-line licence applications 'from January'

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:12:00 GMT

Hosts may be able to apply for licences and temporary events notices entirely on-line from January 2010, the Government has announced.

Councils welcome new licensing powers

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:44:00 GMT

Government plans to give councillors more power are preferable to the "ill-targeted" mandatory alcohol retailing code, say council bosses.

Fears over blanket pub hours curfew

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:31:00 GMT

Councils will be able to set a blanket curfew for pub opening hours in designated problem areas under new plans from Gordon Brown. Councillors will also be given the power to instigate a review of a licence themselves.

Tips and wage changes in this week

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:11:00 GMT

Hosts face a double whammy of extra regulation and cost pressures this week, with a minimum wage rise and new rules on tipping.

'Minimum price on alcohol won't work'

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:40:00 GMT

A minimum price on alcohol would force up prices for the majority of responsible drinkers and do nothing to tackle problems, says the BRC.

Majority of Scots are drinking responsibly

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:26:00 GMT

The vast majority of Scots are drinking sensibly and responsibly, new figures have shown.

Brown to ban '24-hour drinking'

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:10:00 GMT

The Prime Minister is to give councils new powers to ban all 24-hour licences in their area and make pubs pay for street cleaning and policing.

Axe the Tax to be axed

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:03:00 GMT

The British Beer & Pub Association plans to refine the message of its Axe the Tax campaign to focus on getting tax lowered.

Enterprise: OFT doing a thorough job

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:44:00 GMT

Enterprise Ted Tuppen reports that the Office of Fair Trading is undertaking “very thorough analysis” of the pub sector.

Community pubs tax bombshell warning

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:31:00 GMT

The Conservatives have warned of a “tax bombshell” for pubs that offer community facilities.

'Minimum price could lead to 20% drop in deaths'

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:14:00 GMT

A minimum price of 40p a unit on alcohol and a ban on supermarket promotions could lead to a 20% drop in alcohol-related deaths.

Two-thirds pub pint measure gets green light

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:33:00 GMT

Pubs will soon be allowed to serve beer in two-thirds of a pint measures, under new Government plans.

Pubco competition inquiry a must, Mandelson told

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:16:00 GMT

Pubcos have failed miserably to self-regulate, Lord Mandelson has been told by one tenants group.

Mandelson hailed for alcohol code delay

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:45:00 GMT

Lord Mandelson has "gone a long way to saving" thousands of pubs by deciding to delay implementation of the mandatory alcohol retailing code.

Ban on pub cig vending machines a step closer

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:36:00 GMT

A complete ban on cigarette vending machines in Scottish pubs has moved a step closer after MSPs voted in favour of the bill.

Grogan: ALMR played a blinder in mediation

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:56:00 GMT

Labour MP John Grogan has praised the role of the ALMR in bringing the pub sector together through mediation.