Two to three big Christmases left for gin amid premium spirits boom

Pernod Ricard is banking on another big hurrah for gin growth this festive season, with its on-going popularity and major presence in the UK’s cocktail culture helping to boost growth of premium spirits.

Independents bear brunt of restaurant closures

Britain’s restaurant numbers have fallen for the sixth quarter in a row with independent operators having borne the brunt of the closures as group-owned restaurants prove more resilient despite some major brand failures.

Pubs and bars signal optimism as restaurant sector continues to suffer

The latest CGA Fourth Business Confidence Survey, canvassing opinion from hospitality industry leaders, has revealed concern over the frequency of consumer visits to pubs, bars and restaurants during the second half of 2019.

Brits love Pornstars

Cocktails are now one of Britain’s fastest growing drinks categories in spirits, according to CGA.

Zero growth for pubs and restaurants in May

UK pubs and restaurants saw trading fall flat in May, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Collective like-for-like sales growth across the market was zero compared to last year.

On-trade is moving with the times, say suppliers, as Jamie’s and other well-known faces disappear from the high street

The tired, middle of the road, mid-market section of the on-trade is falling away to make way for new, more innovative concepts, suppliers have told Harpers.

LWF: Consumers value experiences over value for money, says CGA

There has been a major shift in the way consumers decide which venues to visit, with the promise of entertainment and engagement now taking precedent over value for money.

Restaurant closures rise as high street pressures hit hard

The number of restaurants in Britain dropped by 2.8% in the year to March 2019, according to the latest Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

Music festivals offer £100m opportunity

Drinks suppliers could reap a £100 million booze bonanza this summer thanks to alcohol loving festival-goers, according to new CGA research on festivals.

Hardys launches on-trade foodies wine range

Hardys, the wine brand from Accolade Wines, is targeting food matching with its new on-trade exclusive ‘Foodies Range’.

Sunshine gives pubs and restaurant a lift

Pub and restaurants grew like-for-like sales by 3.8% last month compared to March 2018 when trade was hit by the ‘Beast from the East’, according to the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Vermouth and Japanese whisky among top serves in high-end London bars

Vermouth and Japanese whisky are among the most fashionable drinks in London’s top high-end bars, according to the latest CGA and DrinkUp.London's 2018 Influencers Report.

Northern restaurant and bar boom continues

The number of restaurants and bars in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds increased by an average of 19% during the past five years, according to new research.

Restaurants continue to struggle as consumers tighten purse strings ahead of Brexit

The restaurant trade suffered another tough month in February with the mini heatwave towards the end of the month failing to move the whole market much, despite an encouraging performance from the pub trade.

UK restaurant numbers dip for first time in nine years

The number of “casual dining” restaurants has dropped for the first time in nine years as the pressures facing the sector take their toll.

GCA calls on wine and spirits industry to complete supplier survey

Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator, has launched her annual survey with a call to wine and spirit suppliers to “tell her the Code issues they are facing and whether the major groceries retailers are treating them fairly and lawfully”.

Festive period provides cheer for on-trade

Managed pubs and restaurants saw a 4.1% collective like-for-like sales increase across the festive season compared to the same period the prevous year. 

Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

Holiday season boosts eating-out market

Britain sees 3,000 licensed premise closures in a year

The number of licensed sites across Britain has dropped to 119,800 in the past year, with a total of 3,116 restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises having been closed down.