Alcohol wholesaler scheme 'massive' boost for legitimate traders and retailers

A new registration scheme for alcohol wholesalers will be a "massive boost for legitimate traders and taxpayers", and a "positive step" for retailers, say trade bodies. 

Eating out growth boosts pub and restaurant sales

Pub and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales grow 3.4% in November, marking the 20^th consecutive month of growth for the sector.

COPY: Harpers new consumer report reveals key wine trends in the UK on-trade

In the second of our exclusive consumer reports, Harpers turns the spotlight on drinking trends in the UK on-trade and finds out what the average Brit thinks of the wine in their glass and what attracts them, or not, to ordering wine when out and out about compared to other drinks

Restaurateur Marlon Abela buys into wine merchant OW Loeb

High profile restaurateur Marlon Abela has taken a majority ownership interest in wine merchant OW Loeb.

Starbucks moves into on-trade in US with beer and wine offering

Last week Starbucks announced at its annual investor conference that it would begin serving beer, wine and 'evening' food in 3,000 of its 11,900 cafes in the US.

Business rates relief welcomed by pubs and drinks retailers

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Despite positive H1 results, concerns about Greene King remain

Total revenue was up 3.3% rising to £614.9 million for the first half of 2015 fiscal year for pub company and brewer Greene King, but its operating profit dropped 3.1% to £123.3 million.

Jago to highlight Middle Eastern cuisine at new opening in Shoreditch

London sees boom in restaurant openings in 2014

London has seen "unprecedented" growth in net restaurant openings in the past year, as 101 venues opened up, beating the previous 2006 record of 75.

Brothers James and Richard Manning are doing their bit to shake up juice bars

Brothers James and Richard Manning started out in the industry selling fresh British juices made at their Herefordshire farm. Little did they know that their old wooden apple crates would transform their business, says Bernadette Costello, and they are now looking to work with wine and spirits brands.   

You'll need loadsamoney to enjoy St Pancras's £60 a glass Cinnamoney mulled wine

Hands up who likes mulled wine? Go on, you know you do. Throw in a  few carols, a bit of recently laid snow and there's nothing quite like those touches of spice and cinnamon on a cold winter's day.

Vinoteca counts down to Christmas with Wine-vent Calendar

After the frenzy of Black Friday you might think Christmas is almost upon us, but there are actually still 24 shopping days left.

UK on-trade gears up for bumper festive season

Bars and restaurants are heralding a bumper festive season, with bookings so far 5-10% ahead of last year.

Spanish wines fastest growing in UK bars and restaurants

Spanish wines are the fastest growing in the UK on-trade - listings are up 25% in the last year - at the expense of French wines, whose listings have fallen by 11%.

Four pubs battle it out for CAMRA's National Pub of the Year

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has shortlisted four pubs who will battle it out to be named its National Pub of the Year.

Zuma's Noel Pusch is named Sake Sommelier of the Year

Noel Pusch of premium Japanese restaurant chain Zuma's Abu Dhabi branch has been named Sake Sommelier of the Year at an awards ceremony at London's Westbury Hotel this week.

Raisinable wine app brings mark up transparency to restaurant consumers

Raisinable, a free wine app which compares restaurant and retail wine prices and illustrates the mark up, is launching today and will feature several restaurants in London.

Roger Jones on falling in love with the "wild west" of New Zealand's Central Otago

If there was one area in New Zealand which defines the whole ethos of its wine industry it must be Central Otago.

Consumers to tighten purse strings on food and drink this Christmas

Consumers are planning to rein in Christmas spending on food, drink and gifts this year, according to a poll carried out by pub operator Greene King.

Mitchells & Butlers profit down as revenues grow

Pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Browns venues, has seen revenues grow by 4% to £1.9 billion, while profits before tax fell by 13% to £123 million.