Pubco to sue SPL in broadcast dispute
LISINI Pub Co is set to sue the Scottish Premier League for more than £1.7 million after it attempted to stop the firm showing live top flight football matches in its pub using a Polish satellite system.
Boards urged to tackle casinos
A DUNDEE nightclub boss has called on licensing boards to take a tougher stance on alcohol licensing for casinos..
Trade slams footie pub closure plans
PUB trade groups have railed against plans to introduce legislation that would allow police to close pubs in certain areas around football matches.
Trade toasts end of beer duty escalator
Brewers welcome tax cut, but above inflation increase stays for cider, wine and spirits
PUB companies and brewers have welcomed moves to cut beer duty...
C&C acquires 50% stake in Wallaces Express
C&C Group has acquired a 50% equity stake in Irvine-based wholesaler Wallaces Express.
The Magners and Tennent’s owner said the move would give on-trade customers “enhanced service and increased value”.
Under the deal, Wallaces Express will continue to be run independently and will work alongside C&C Group to deliver a “full portfolio” to the Scottish on-trade.
Beer duty cut in Budget
BEER duty is to be cut by 1p and the controversial escalator scrapped – but the 2% above inflation rise in duty will remain in place for wine, cider and spirits.
Delivering his Budget, chancellor George Osborne confirmed the 3p rise in beer duty planned for April has been scrapped and beer duty will be cut by 1p; the annual 2% above inflation duty escalator will also be scrapped for beer.
However, the controversial duty escalator will continue to apply to wine, cider and spirits.
Minimum pricing remains on track
THE Scottish Government has reiterated its commitment to introducing a minimum price for alcohol as plans for a similar policy down south appear to have faltered.
Scottish health secretary Alex Neil said that the Scottish Government has a “firm commitment” to minimum unit pricing for alcohol, regardless of what happens in England.
Health warnings are a step too far
PROPOSALS to put health warnings on alcohol labels and ban all alcohol advertising and sponsorship have been branded a step too far by trade groups.
The recommendations were outlined in ‘Health First: an evidence-based alcohol strategy for the UK’, which was developed by the Alcohol Health Alliance and published by the University of Stirling last week.
Military ID cards get the green light
PUBS and clubs will be able to accept military ID cards, EU national identity cards and biometric residency permits as proof of age from October 1.
The Scottish Government confirmed plans to extend the range of identification documents which can be accepted by someone selling age restricted products, including alcohol.
The move will see military ID cards, EU national identity cards and biometric residency permits join passports, EU photocard driving licences and PASS cards as acceptable forms of proof of age.
Beer duty fight gathers pace
A NEW campaign calling for the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty and scrap the controversial ‘escalator’ at this month’s Budget has been backed by trade and business groups.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), and the Forum of Private Business (FPB) have welcomed the Mash Beer Tax campaign, launched by the Tax Payers’ Alliance, which has seen thousands of beer mats highlighting alcohol duty levels distributed to pubs across the UK.
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Luke Richardson
William Woodburn
