Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Reframing the anti-alcohol debate

Published: 10 June, 2025

The global temperance movement, buoyed by an influential public health lobby, is gaining momentum. Under growing scrutiny from governments, medical institutions and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the drinks trade is entering uncharted territory. It is required to justify its continued existence – and to defend a historic beverage that, while culturally rich and economically vital, is increasingly viewed as malign.

Long Read: London Cocktail Week – Let’s have a bar crawl while we still can

Published: 01 October, 2020

Hugh Jones lost his job this year after shortly after arriving at a new company right at the start of the pandemic. Feeling less than enthused about the situation and his looming annual Stoptober attempt, he was about to throw in the towel of sobriety for London Cocktail Week, which starts today. But after speaking with organisers, he discovered they are pulling out all the stops to this year to make sure as many people can get involved as possible – to blow off steam while also supporting London’s embattled on-trade.