The rate of pub closures has slowed to 25 per week, although government plans for a 7 per cent rise in beer tax in next week’s budget could prolong damage to the sector.
The Department of Health has published full details of its Responsibility Deal, as well as a list of 170 companies and organisations that have already pledged their support on measures to help tackle poor diets and alcohol misuse.
Pub and restaurant groups reported a rise in like-for-like sales in February against a strong comparative period in 2010, helped by a month of fair weather and families eating out during half term.
The Savoy Educational Trust has pumped almost £60k into education and training initiatives in the UK hospitality sector with the aim of boosting college efforts in the face of university budget cuts.
Carling and Grolsch brewer Molson Coors has committed to providing alcohol unit information on its glasses, and will also introduce two-third pint measures in support of the Government’s Responsibility Deal.