Keeping the trade 'wired-in'

Each Monday afternoon Fleurets send out our Newswire - a fresh approach to market intelligence. Here are some of the highlights, including a few of the more light-hearted stories found in our 'and finally' section:

A new study from Greene King showed that more than half of all 'heavy smokers' visit their local pub as often as they did before the introduction of the smoking ban. A poll of 1,600 of the brewer's pub customers conducted last month, showed that 56 per cent of heavy smokers had not changed their visiting habits, while 43 per cent said they visited their local pub less than before the start of the ban.

Sports venues will represent the next big growth market for hotels according to a study by consultancy, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). The study predicts that hotel rooms attached to sports stadiums will triple over the next nine years . The market has been growing by 13% a year and currently stands at 1,314 rooms in 11 hotels. (Caterer and Hotelkeeper.) The price of wine and spirits is predicted to go up by five times the rate of inflation in the next year.

and finally...

Officially the king of the Gastro Pub. The Anchor and Hope in London's Waterloo has been crowned as the best Gastro Pub in the country (Top 30 Gastro Pubs 2007). The announcement came as a result of a poll of industry experts by PubChef magazine. This was the third year in a row that the venue scooped the title.

Are you a beer lover and still undecided on where to go for your summer break? Quality inspection body, Cask Marque, sampled over 28,000 pints at 9,403 pubs in its search to determine the town serving the best cask ale. Pubs in Huddersfield came out on top, averaging an almost perfect 19.5 out of 20 for their ale, based on temperature, appearance, aroma and taste.

An increase in alcohol tax would do little to deter binge drinking, according to Diageo's chief executive. The announcement comes at a time when the trade is faced with the possibility that the government will respond to campaign pressure by raising duty.

Who said things are tough out there? Vivat Bacchus, a restaurant in Holborn, central London, has been inundated with bookings from wealthy City workers for its £1,000-a-head seven-course "Bonus Tasting Menu". Among the dishes are royal Sevruga caviar, fresh Bahama rock lobster linguini, grilled Wagyu fillet steak and a 15-variety cheeseboard. Each of the seven courses is accompanied by its own wine, including Chateau Lafite Rotchschild and Chateau d'Yquem. (The Sunday Telegraph.)

JD Wetherspoon has announced that it is to put a two-drink limit on parents accompanied by children in their venues. The limit, for adults in family groups, is said to be in place to discourage the groups from staying too long before the children become bored and disruptive. Based on my experience of kids in pubs, they'll need to be two quick drinks then. - ed.

To receive your copy of Newswire each week, email julie.footner@fleurets.com