It's feared rises in alcohol duty announced in the recent United Kingdom Budget could seriously affect the Island's hostelries.

Joint Director of Heron and Brearley Gavin Patterson believes the increases, coupled with the impending smoking ban, could drive people away from pubs, clubs and bars and into supermarkets, where the alcohol is heavily discounted.

Mr Patterson acknowledges the brewery's prices have already gone up very recently but says the extra duty will have to be passed on as well (audio file attached):

(Picture: Heron and Brearley's headquarters, courtesy of manxscenes.com).