Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Hospitality needs customers if it's to stop going hungry

Published: 28 July, 2020

The hospitality sector is beginning to reopen, but it needs many more customers if its future is to be secured. By Andrew Catchpole

Eat Out to Help Out postcode checker launches alongside guidance for businesses

Published: 28 July, 2020

The government has released new guidance for businesses on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, which will enable bars and restaurants to claim back customer-facing discounts from 7 August.

Staff shifts still down 69% across the UK

Published: 24 July, 2020

The challenge facing the hospitality sector has been reiterated by new figures which show that shifts worked by employees are still down 68.9% across the UK.

James Sommerin left ‘devastated’ by restaurant closure as he issues plea to customers

Published: 24 July, 2020

Top chef James Sommerin has spoken about the cruel circumstances surrounding the closure of his family restaurant after the pressures of Covid-19 became too much to bear.

On-trade trading at near 70% of pre-Covid norms

Published: 24 July, 2020

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups in England have reported improving sales in the second week after shut-down was lifted, boosted by the reopening of more sites, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

On-trade reports 40% drop in weekly sales

Published: 17 July, 2020

Sales across on-trade sites open in England in the first week after lockdown was lifted were down 39.8% compared to the same week last year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data released today.

On-trade re-emerges with professional calm and strong bookings

Published: 06 July, 2020

Early indications from those on-trade operators that chose to reopen over the weekend suggest good numbers of customers and both guests and staff taking safety guidelines in their stride.

UK-wide bars and restaurants gear up to unveil new look on-trade this weekend

Published: 03 July, 2020

Bars, restaurants and pubs are expected to re-open in droves this weekend, with a complete overhaul of safety procedures set to establish a new normal for the British on-trade.

Berkmann research suggests 71% of diners plan to spend the same or more

Published: 29 June, 2020

New research by Berkmann Wine Cellars suggests that 71% of those who used to visit restaurants more than once a week will spend the same or more post lockdown.

Additional 145 million pints to be sold due to reduced ‘distancing’

Published: 24 June, 2020

CGA has calculated that 145 million additional pints of beer will be sold through the on-trade as a result of the new 1 metre distancing rule, compared with what would have been sold with 2 metres.

Government publishes re-opening guide

Published: 24 June, 2020

The government has this morning published the re-opening guide for the hospitality industry.

Post-pandemic staffing

Published: 22 June, 2020

With a shortage of qualified on-trade staff an industry issue pre Covid-19, what will be the outcome for those that weather lockdown? Chris Losh reports.

Pre-registration and ordering apps considered for on-trade reopening

Published: 22 June, 2020

On-trade visitors may have to register before going to pub, bars and restaurants, health secretary Matt Hancock has suggested.

Bordeaux Wine Month opens up annual promo to on-trade

Published: 17 June, 2020

Bordeaux Wine Month will be back for its third annual outing this autumn, once again inviting the trade to have a shot at promoting the best from France’s flagship region.

On-trade calls grow in urgency for clarity on reopening

Published: 16 June, 2020

As the tough balancing act between protecting health and promoting the economy dominates national debate, UK on-trade operators are becoming increasingly vocal on the need for government clarity ahead of reopening.

Soapbox: Stephen Finch on the 2 metre barrier to trade

Published: 08 June, 2020

Asking for rational trade-offs, Vagabond’s Stephen Finch voices the on-trade’s concern over the economic impact of shut-down and the 2 metre distancing rule.

‘Save summer six’ ministers press for 22 June on-trade reopening

Published: 08 June, 2020

Boris Johnson is understood to be close to agreement with a group of senior ministers to look at reopening the hospitality sector on 22 June.

Food & accommodation sectors have largest proportion furloughed

Published: 05 June, 2020

The extent to which lockdown has impacted on the UK hospitality sector has been thrown into sharp relief by the latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures.

Challenges for winemakers as Italy exits lockdown

Published: 03 June, 2020

The biggest challenge for the Italian wine trade is recovery in the on-trade, according to Pierpaolo Penco, Italy country manager at Wine Intelligence, speaking ahead of publication of the Italy Wine Landscapes 2020 report, due out this week.

All-star panel talks how to deal with pandemic in restaurant environment

Published: 28 May, 2020

Building trust around social distancing rules will be the major challenge for restaurants looking to relaunch their businesses after lockdown eases, a leading on-trade panel has agreed.