Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wine tariffs to remain after Brexit transition period ends

Published: 19 May, 2020

Tariffs will remain in place on wines imported into the UK after the current Brexit transition period ends.

Furlough scheme extended to October

Published: 12 May, 2020

The government has announced it is extending the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) for an additional four months, while also adding in some provision to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part time basis.

Suppliers seek clarity over support

Published: 07 May, 2020

Key suppliers to the shuttered on-trade have called on the government to help them survive Covid-19, pointing both to clarification on reopening measures and greater financial support.

WSTA outlines key priorities for post-Brexit trade

Published: 06 May, 2020

Back in proactive lobbying mode, the WSTA outlined its key priorities and government asks on Wednesday as the UK hurtles towards the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020.

South African wine exports set to resume

Published: 29 April, 2020

The South African government has announced that the ban on exports of wine imposed during lockdown will be lifted from the end of this week as the country eases its measures.

Living with lockdown – Enotria & Coe

Published: 24 April, 2020

Troy Christensen, CEO at Enotria & Coe, talks frankly with Andrew Catchpole about the impact of the current crisis on on-trade suppliers and the daunting challenges ahead for the hospitality sector.

Extended social distancing could cost one million hospitality jobs

Published: 23 April, 2020

An extended period of social distancing could cost one million jobs unless measures to protect hospitality businesses are put in place, UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned.

New research says ‘not all hope lost' when it comes to smoke taint

Published: 08 April, 2020

A multi-faceted, multi-agency smoke taint project, supported by the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and funded by the Australian government, has confirmed that blending or dilution with unaffected wine can be an effective remedy for smoke-affected wine.

Cash crisis looms as businesses call for reform to “lip service” relief packages

Published: 02 April, 2020

Companies are calling on the government to reassess its package of relief support which they say doesn't go far enough, fast enough, to help cash-strapped businesses through these turbulent times.

 WSTA and CEEV call for regulatory alignment post-Brexit

Published: 27 March, 2020

Wine trade bodies, the WSTA and CEEV have jointly urged the British government to maintain regulatory alignment on wine post-Brexit.

Chancellor matches staff wage subsidies for self-employed

Published: 26 March, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the government will cover the wages of self-employed workers up to £2,500 a month – matching what was offered to staff employees last week.

Lawyers urge businesses to “read the fine print” over Job Retention Scheme

Published: 25 March, 2020

Legal advice has been issued to drinks businesses who are now looking to rely on the government’s promise to cover 80% of salaries (up to a limit of £2,500) a month to furloughed members of staff during the current coronavirus (Covid-19) health crisis.

Majestic shops to stay temporarily closed

Published: 25 March, 2020

Majestic has announced its shops are to remain temporarily closed despite the government having added off-licenses to its list of ‘essential’ businesses.

WSTA ‘assumes' duty payments due today (25 March)

Published: 25 March, 2020

The WSTA, which has relentlessly called on the Chancellor to suspend duty payments, last night said it assumed the payments would be due today (25 March) with no formal response from the Treasury to suggest otherwise.

Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

Published: 19 March, 2020

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published: 18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

Chris Losh: averting an on-trade apocalypse

Published: 17 March, 2020

This was the week that the Coronavirus got real. Ten days ago in the UK Covid-19 was largely the source of ironic fist-bumps and the odd cancelled tasting. Dying and panicking was what other people did. With a complacency that now seems barely credible, the government’s message at the end of February was, broadly, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

Industry petitions government not to wash its hands of responsibility on venue closures

Published: 17 March, 2020

The trade can now sign a petition that is urging the government to take urgent to action to provide financial and practical advice for the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants.

Coronavirus: Don’t leave pubs and bars in “limbo”

Published: 17 March, 2020

The industry is galvanising its voices to urge the Prime Minister to take decisive action at this afternoon’s coronavirus briefing after pubs, bars and restaurants are left in “limbo” just as the outbreak looks set to take hold in the UK.

PM urges public to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues

Published: 16 March, 2020

Socialising in groups and travelling for non-essential reasons is no officially a no-no the government has said as it introduces stricter measures for dealing with the spread of coronavirus (Covid–19).