Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Australia increases consumer protection for wine brands

Published: 01 July, 2021

Australia has launched what it claims to be the world’s first system to provide product assurance for all of its branded wine exports.

TaxPayers’ Alliance backs tax cuts for wine producers

Published: 24 June, 2021

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has added its voice of support for the English wine industry calling for an end to the “unfair tax system that is crippling the industry”.

Scottish trade associations warn of further hardship

Published: 23 June, 2021

Scottish trade associations have expressed disappointment and concern on the delay in easing restrictions, which they claim could cause more business failures and hardship for the sector.

Calorie labelling timing 'counterproductive and damaging’

Published: 22 June, 2021

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to delay plans for mandatory calorie labelling on menus for six months, stating the additional costs will threaten to derail the hospitality sector recovery from the pandemic.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

Published: 17 June, 2021

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.

Govt expected to extend rent moratorium to 2022

Published: 16 June, 2021

The ban on commercial evictions, or rent moratorium, introduced during Covid-19 could be extended until 2022.

UKH: ‘Indication that business rates holiday will be extended would go a long way’

Published: 15 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged the government to waste no time in providing details of how it will safeguard the future of the hospitality sector following the Prime Minister’s confirmation that Covid restrictions will remain for another four weeks.

Canada’s Cool Climate Sensibility

Published: 03 June, 2021

Harpers’ recent Canadian-flavoured webinar looked at the emerging regions and styles from this exciting country as it emerges onto the global wine scene, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Glasgow restrictions eased as Scottish opening paused

Published: 02 June, 2021

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are facing a transition phase as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a cautious easing of restrictions with Glasgow to move to level 2.

UKH: ‘Delay on further relaxation of restrictions will have devastating effect’

Published: 02 June, 2021

Any potential delay on further relaxation of restrictions this month would have a “devastating effect on an already-fragile hospitality sector”, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

Adam Smith Institute calls out ‘Alice in Wonderland’ thinking on VI-1s

Published: 26 May, 2021

The Adam Smith Institute has added its voice to calls on government to reduce post-Brexit red tape for the wine trade, including scrapping the much derided and wholly unnecessary VI-1 forms.

Govt ditches on-trade BWS calorie labelling plans

Published: 12 May, 2021

The government has dropped plans to force hospitality businesses to list calorie content on alcoholic drinks, applying to both draught and pre-packaged offerings.

Over 330,000 hospitality jobs at risk if rent protections removed

Published: 05 May, 2021

Over 330,000 hospitality jobs are at risk if rent protections are removed this summer, with £2.5bn in rent debt hanging around the neck of the industry, UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned.

High Court dismisses early hospitality opening

Published: 04 May, 2021

Sacha Lord, the night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, has expressed “disappointment” as the legal battle to allow pubs and restaurants to reopen early was dismissed in the High Court.

UKH calls for affirmative action on rent debt

Published: 04 May, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called on the government to take “decisive” action on rent debt to help safeguard sector recovery and protect up to a million hospitality jobs.

Covid passports hang over trade

Published: 07 April, 2021

Covid passports could still be introduced at a later date for hospitality venues, a new government report has revealed, despite the Prime Minister ruling out their introduction for outdoor reopening over the next six weeks.

Scottish drinks industry calls for balanced approach to alcohol policy

Published: 29 March, 2021

The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), an alliance of Scotland’s distillers, brewers, hospitality and retail businesses, has called for Scottish Parliamentary candidates to commit to a balanced approach to alcohol policy.

UKH: ‘Vaccine passport scheme would create confusion and inequality’

Published: 25 March, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned against the use of a vaccine passport scheme as a condition of removing restrictions for on-trade visits, branding it “unworkable”.