Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Govt delays vote on 10pm curfew as opposition mounts

Published: 07 October, 2020

The government has delayed a vote in the House of Commons on the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants.

Chivas chief slams Scots govt for whisky sector lockdown failure

Published: 03 September, 2020

The Scottish government failed to support the Scottish whisky industry at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jean-Christophe Coutures, the chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers, has said.

Restaurants look to extend success of Eat Out to Help Out

Published: 27 August, 2020

The government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which ends on 31 August, is to be extended by some pubs and restaurants – but without support from the government.

Bid for Beirut auction organises relief for Lebanon

Published: 24 August, 2020

A new auction to provide much-needed relief for Lebanon’s struggling wine sector has drawn support from the UK wine trade, after a massive explosion decimated the country’s main port on 4 August.

Drinks Trust wellness services now live

Published: 01 June, 2020

The new range of mental health support services for members of the trade from the Drinks Trust have now been launched.

Industry gives cautious welcome to furlough scheme changes

Published: 01 June, 2020

The UK drinks trade has welcomed the extension of the government’s furlough scheme for UK workers during the corovirus crisis – but with concerns for the future.

Champagne Academy launches emergency financial fund for The Drinks Trust

Published: 28 May, 2020

The Champagne Academy has announced the launch of a range of fundraising initiatives to help support The Drinks Trust and its beneficiaries through these turbulent times.

Greene King gives 90% rent relief to tenants

Published: 21 May, 2020

Greene King has announced it will offer a major rent reduction to its tenants to give them a “fighting chance” of surviving the coronavirus pandemic.

The Drinks Trust wellness services

Published: 21 May, 2020

The Drinks Trust has launched a number of new services focusing on improving the mental health of the industry and supporting them through what has been a troubling time for many.

Entries open for The Vintners’ Company’s first industry awards

Published: 18 May, 2020

The Vintners’ Company has launched its own industry awards, set up to “nurture and support the enterprising individuals and companies” who are bringing positive change to the wine industry.

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.

Joe Fattorini: Together we can change the world

Published: 27 April, 2020

“By May 1966, the plan to dam the Grand Canyon was all but enshrined in law. The bulldozers were already shattering the primordial peace, the scaffolding was up and the drilling had begun.” As one campaigner said: “The fight was lost. The dams had been approved. They were being supported by the Kennedy administration … and both houses of Congress.” His voice tinged with a despondency many of us have come to know in the past few weeks.

Drinks Trust Covid-19 Relief Fund extended until 14 April, 7pm

Published: 10 April, 2020

The window for applications to The Drinks Trust Covid-19 Financial Relief Fund has been extended until Tuesday 14 April, 7pm, to allow an extra working day post the Easter Bank Holiday.

Virtual Happy Hour leads on-trade support initiatives

Published: 19 March, 2020

A new ‘at home tasting’ initiative is looking to support the hospitality industry by encouraging the public to drink at home as if they were at their favourite bars and pubs.

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.

Chancellor announces additional £20bn support for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors

Published: 17 March, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has increased promised government support for the hospitality sector, with a mix of tax cuts and grants, amounting to a £20bn support package, in addition to an overall support package of government backed and guaranteed loans available to business of £330bn.

Diageo unveils GB on-trade support package, including £1m pledge for bartender wages

Published: 17 March, 2020

Drinks industry giant Diageo has marked St Patrick’s Day with a pledge via its Guinness brand of £1m to support bartenders in the UK, with similar fund is being set up in Ireland.

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.

“It’s still a man’s world” say bartenders promoting sisterhood at all-female takeover

Published: 06 November, 2019

The opportunities for women to reach the pinnacle of their careers in the hospitality industry was one of the hot topics at a recent event at The Artesian bar, which shone a well-deserved light on the talent of the female bartenders working in the industry today.