Cash inn… TV bosses are to launch a chain of Coronation Street themed pubs. They think they can mimic the success of chains such as Cheers bars in the US with spokesman Dawn Airey being rather honest, saying: "We want to exploit our brands in a far more commercial way."
Does it mean that non-regulars will be served cold tea whilst regulars will get half the pint that has been standing behind the bar then topped up with half a pint of froth?
The substitute ales on set have had an unfortunate effect on extras with much flatulence causing a distraction to the Street's stars.

Russian chap, in the lounge with a knife… A Russian guy spent the night with a ten-inch knife in his back after playing a drunken game with his mates and somehow the blade missed all of his vital organs.
In the game, a blindfolded pal made random stabbing motions with a knife as the others danced around him. Yuri Laylin admitted he'd "had a few vodkas" saying: "I woke up when my wife started screaming. Only then did I realise what had happened."

The Consumer Council for Water is pushing for pubs to provide tap water free whenever requested. It's all well and good, but the funny thing about pubs is that they are licensed and darned expensive to run - compounded by ongoing Government interference.
So bearing this in mind, how is it that a Government-funded mob are now asking for freebies? Do the water companies provide it free? Do they ?*"!# so why on earth would they want to provide free tap water?
It all stems from a Panorama TV program which claimed bottled water has a carbon footprint 600 times the draught version.

Britain's Best Pubs are listed in a new guide from the AA. Available from June it features 330 pubs with a full-page write-up on each. The cover price is £7.99 but best check out www.amazon.co.uk.

Flitcho, sounds a a bit like drain cleaner but actually it's a good strong ale.

The carve up of Scottish & Newcastle brings puts Britain's biggest brewer in the hands of Dutch-based Heineken. With over 250 years of history, William McEwan started brewing at Fountainbridge in 1749 merging with William Younger to form Scottish Brewers in 1913. Newcastle Breweries was acquired in 1960 to form Scottish & Newcastle. The one bright spot is that Harviestoun Brewery has been hived off making it fully independent again.

The Close Imperial Company, which owns Quilters bar in Colchester, has bought three other pubs in a deal worth £3.5m. Two are Essex pubs, the Swan at Chappel and Alma, Chelmsford. The third pub is the Angel at Stoke by Nayland. The company says no major changes are planned.

The Queens Head Chelmsford is now being run by Dave & Marie who between them have more years in the licensed trade than they might care to admit! The bar areas have been redecorated, the kitchen renovated and the living accommodation refurbished. The beer range has been revised and now features a wider selection of Crouch Vale beers alongside the usual guests. The adjacent Orange Tree pub now features Mighty Oak's award-winning Maldon Gold as a regular ale.