THE boss of Burnley brewery Moorhouse’s has condemned Chancellor George Osborne for failing to help the beer and pub industry in the Budget.

And he urged brewers to continue the fight against the ‘stealthy’ beer duty escalator.

David Grant made a personal appeal to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in a meeting for Burnley businessmen on the eve of the pre-Budget summit with George Osborne and David Cameron. During a private dinner Mr Grant pleaded for the industry to be spared the tax. Mr Grant said: “I am extremely disappointed that the Chancellor has paid so little heed to the brewing and pub industry’s appeal for fairer tax and the scrapping of the insidious duty escalator.”

  • A PUB quiz in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support raised £223 at The Park Inn, Darwen.

Darwen, Blackburn and District Committee secretary Janet Chatterton said: “We would like to thank the manager, Matthew, and the landlord of The Park Inn, Cemetery Road, for their hospitality and as all the generous members of the public who came along to support.”

  • DUE to customer demand for theme nights at Blackburn pub Corrigan’s Sunday karaoke, there will be a superheroes night in April. Dates are to be announced. There will be a prize of a meal for two for the best outfit.
  • WEEKEND entertainment at The Talbot, Church Street, Burnley, comes from the Jackson Kay Band on Friday, followed by Kingpin on Saturday.