Q&A: Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group

Charlie Gilkes is founder and director of Inception Group, the experiential hospitality group behind My Foggs, Barts, Cahoots, Bunga Bunga & Maggie’s. Hugh Jones speaks to Gilkes about recovery, Covid enforced innovation, and the importance of customer experience as the trade re-opens.

Walker & Wodehouse unveils virtual tastings

Bibendum’s Walker & Wodehouse has unveiled a series of virtual tastings for customers.

Covid and Phylloxera – lessons for the wine trade

Sam Hellyer, head of wine and spirits at Chiswick Auctions, counts 10 years at Oddbins as part of a varied résumé where he headed up the Fine Wine branch in Oxford.

Pubs to reap rewards of outside trading over bars and restaurants

Fewer than half of England’s pubs, bars and restaurants will have any space to operate outside when the lockdown is relaxed—but pubs could be set to have a head start with 72% having outside space, CGA research has revealed. 

New UMVGB president calls for post-Covid preparation

Albéric Bichot, who has been elected president of the Union des Maisons de Vins de Grande Bourgogne (UMVGB) has called for the industry to prepare for the Post-Covid world. 

Excise duties hike latest blow to SA wine industry

The South African government has announced it will increase the excise duties on alcohol by 8%.

UKH urges sector to join Budget campaign

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called on the industry to make its voice heard to secure further VAT cut and business rates holiday. 

Helping hospitality survive

If reopening doesn’t come soon, many on-trade operators face ruin unless new support measures come into play. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Jeroboams appoints Lucie Parker as trade director

Jeroboams Trade, the wholesale business within the independent Jeroboams Group, has appointed Lucie Parker to the role of trade director. 

Beale: ‘Punishingly high duty rates stifling home grown wine and spirit businesses’

The WSTA has renewed its calls on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty to allow UK businesses to “thrive and compete on a global stage”. 

Take Out to Help Out e-book from Bums on Seats

Bums on Seats has launched a free e-book resource, Take Out to Help Out, giving advice for on-trade operators as to how best to develop and market an at home dining offer.

Wine trends to watch in 2021

Predicting wine trends for the unpredictable year ahead is certainly a challenge as the trade attempts to plan and prepare for ever-changing times.

WSTA and SMEs call on Chancellor for further support in budget

Many of the UK’s best known wine and spirit SMEs have written a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to cut duty while extended the hospitality’s VAT cut to provide further relief for those struggling with the pandemic.

Nicholls marks one year Covid ‘anniversary’ – “We didn’t know it would be a tsunami”

UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls has renewed calls for additional government support a year on from her first strategy meetings with ministers at the beginning of the pandemic.

Q&A: Karim Johnny Saadé, Bargylus and Château Marsyas

IWSR acquires Wine Intelligence

IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has acquired Wine Intelligence for an undisclosed sum.

WG&S: ‘Decentralisation of luxury consumers present unique challenges for luxury brands’

The pandemic has caused an accelerated shift in consumer habits and brand activity, driving a decentralisation of luxury and making it irrevocably accessible to consumers, according to William Grant & Sons (WG&S) Trending 2021 Report. 

UKH calls for recovery roadmap and pledges to assist vaccine roll-out

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called for a road map to recovery and has committed to assisting the vaccine roll-out.

New Horizons Q&A: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

Nicholls awarded OBE

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list for her services to the hospitality sector.