A thought struck last night. Could it be that Sams are trying to make their pubs unattractive to the young at a time when binge drinking etc is a problem? With no alcopops - own brand spirits and beers - and no music are they going out of their way to distance themselves from the 'branded shots/fancy bottle brigade' who frequent the 'trendier' drinking spots?

The Kings Arms in York - famous Sams pub for being underwater when the Ouse rises (quite fun standing on beer crates with the water lapping round your feet!) - is now out of the 'Micklegate run' at weekends I believe. For those who have never been to York, Micklegate is filled with bars etc and at weekends has scores of youths trawling from pub to pub for the evening, followed by peeing in the doorways and smashing the odd window. You probably have something similar in your area!

Out of interest are there many Samuel Smiths pubs that regularly do live music round the country - I know of Nellies but is it widespread?