Ale and Beer

BII chief executive Peter Thomas has spoken out against Government spending cuts, which he said will directly hit the pub industry’s plans to develop career paths for young people and get unemployed people into jobs in pubs.

Two licensees have been convicted for illegally televising Sky programmes in their pubs without a commercial agreement, and ordered to pay over £30,000 in fines and costs.

Diageo channel director Martijn Van Buuren responded to concerns that the company charges too much for Guinness by suggesting that pubs charge a “premium price”.

Two of the pub industry’s most influential figures, JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin and Stonegate chair Ian Payne, have spoken out against the merits of introducing a minimum unit price of alcohol.

Weather conditions on these shores are erratic at the best of times, but this year it’s more unpredictable than ever. March, which was officially the third warmest on record, was quickly replaced by April’s seemingly endless showers. One can only guess what May will bring.