Baker Greggs Wednesday reported a 5.3 percent rise in underlying sales in the four weeks to January 3 as Christmas shoppers flocked to buy its low-price savouries and cakes.

Chocolate maker and retailer Thorntons reported further woes on the high street on Wednesday, posting a 2.3 percent decline in pre-Christmas sales as its Thorntons-branded stores suffer.

Anheuser-Busch InBev , the world's largest brewer, said on Tuesday it would close its newly-acquired London Stag brewery in 2010, with the potential loss of 182 jobs.

The dairy farmer cooperative First Milk announced that it has cut the price of milk by 1.25ppl from January 1, 2009 following a decline in prices in mainland Europe.

Restaurant Group , which owns the Frankie and Benny's and Garfunkel's chains, said on Monday it anticipates reporting 2008 results which are in line with management's expectations.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced that Dame Deidre Hutton will step down from her position as Chair of the Board at the end of her four year term next July.

Dairy Crest on Wednesday said it had purchased an annuity policy to insure half of its pension liabilities and had taken steps to reduce the effect of future currency movements on its debt.

Confectionery giant Cadbury on Tuesday warned of slower growth and retailer destocking as the economic downturn starts to bite into the chocolate eating and gum chewing habits of consumers.

Associated British Foods announced that it has reached an agreement with Ebro Puleva to acquire its Spanish sugar business, Azucarera Ebro, for a value of 385 million Euros.

Premier Foods confirmed on Monday that it is in talks with its investors and other parties regarding a possible investment in the company.

Sales of Magners cider in Britain, owned by C&C Group, has soared 7.8 percent according to data from AC Nielsen.

The Executive Managing Director of Dairy Crest’s dairies division, Martin Oakes, has resigned with immediate effect and will leave the company at the end of January.

Pubs and brewing group Marston's said on Wednesday it had agreed with its lenders a three-year extension of its debt facility until 2013, allaying investor concerns and sending its shares higher.

The Clapham House Group plc, which owns and operates Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Tootsies and The Real Greek, has reported a 21 percent increase in revenue to 30.3 million pounds.

Bakery chain Greggs has announced expansion plans which will see it serve customers “at work and as they travel” by moving its outlets into industrial estates, housing estates and bus stations.

Diageo , the world's biggest alcoholic drinks group, said on Monday it was seeing strong growth in British retail sales in the run up to Christmas as price-cutting promotions start earlier than usual.

Whitbread , the country's biggest hotel operator, reported strong 39-weeks sales growth on Monday, sending its shares higher, as its budget Premier Inn chain benefited from businesses looking to save money.