February News Highlights for the Licensed Sector

Is the recession over?

The news say that recession is over, so we had a look how the licensed sector has been doing in the recent weeks. The good news is that pub closure rates have slowed from the high of 52 a week to 39 a week but remain at high levels, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned.
Food pubs continue to weather the storm better than wet-led venues with the eight of the of the wet-led pubs. "The UK economy may be edging out of recession, but times remain very tough for pubs," said BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds. "In the current climate, the last thing pubs need is a higher tax bill in the Budget. Pubs make a significant and valuable contribution to both the national economy and community life. It's time for Government to work with our industry and put into practice policies that support pubs and local communities." The UK recession has ended, according to many new studies. These found the biggest rise in business confidence in two years. Let's hope this rise will remain for long term.

John Healey becomes Pubs Minister & seeks to halt closures

Housing & Planning Minister John Healey has been appointed the UK's first ever Pubs Minister. His brief will be to slow, the current rate of pub closures before presumably stopping it altogether and, heaven forbid, perhaps smooth the way for new pubs to open. A spokesman said ‘ministers recognize the important role pubs can play in maintaining community life'.

Beer drinking could be good for your health

Well, for your joints, anyway. Research in the Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture has suggested that drinking ale, particularly pale ale, can slow down the thinning of bones that often leads to fractures and osteoporosis.

Less dangerous pint glasses unveiled

Two prototype beer glasses, designed under the government's Design Out Crime programe, have been unveiled. The glasses, which have been designed to reduce the severity of injuries caused when they are used as a weapon, will now undergo a range of tests. The cost of the glasses is uncertain.

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