Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chris Losh: Hospitality sector reels from strikes

Published: 16 January, 2023

In the middle of December an interview between Richard Madeley of Good Morning Britain and Mick Lynch, head of the RMT union, went viral. Stick with it –

Business energy support to reduce from March government announces

Published: 11 January, 2023

The goverment has announced a new energy support for businesses that will take effect from 1 April 2023, although at a lower rate than the present scheme.

How the Drinks trade reacted to The Budget

Published: 17 November, 2022

In today’s Autumn Statement (17 November 2022), Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a few announcements regarding business taxes, but there was no mention of alcohol duty, much to the frustration of the drinks trade.

WSTA pens letter to Chancellor opposing alcohol duty u-turn

Published: 15 November, 2022

Over 100 business executives from across the alcohol industry have signed a letter written to the Times calling on the Chancellor to bring back the freeze on alcohol duty.

Third of hospitality businesses risk going bust in 2023

Published: 31 October, 2022

More than a third of the UK’s hospitality sector faces closure in 2023 due to the ‘cost of business crisis’.

Red tape cut for thousands of growing businesses

Published: 04 October, 2022

On Sunday, October 2, prime minister Liz Truss announced that red tape would be cut for thousands of growing businesses.

Business energy bills capped by government relief scheme

Published: 21 September, 2022

The government has announced a new energy relief scheme that will reduce energy bills for businesses by 50% of expected levels.

Businesses urged to get behind ‘Hospitality Apprenticeships Week’

Published: 16 September, 2022

Trade bodies, charities and training providers have come together to promote Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2022, running between 3 and 9 October.

Hospitality industry urges new Prime Minister Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save the sector

Published: 06 September, 2022

On Monday (5 September), Conservative Party members chose a new leader and, therefore, a new Prime Minister. Liz Truss secured 57% of the vote, defeating Rishi Sunak in the race to Number 10.

Tackling throwaway culture in the drinks trade

Published: 02 September, 2022

With Scotland announcing it will be going ahead with the introduction of its deposit return scheme (DRS) next year, on-trade operators have been voicing their concerns and identifying some potential pitfalls. England, Wales and Northern Ireland are also set to introduce their own schemes in 2024, so operators there will also have an eye on how it goes north of the border.

Consumers and on-trade at a stand-off over costs

Published: 22 August, 2022

As inflation takes hold of consumers and businesses alike, the hospitality industry remains in a deadlock, with businesses planning for more challenging times ahead.

Hospitality business leaders react to staffing crisis

Published: 17 August, 2022

Unemployment levels are at a record low, while the total number of job vacancies in May-June 2022 was 1.3million, this is according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Government extends off-sales licence after backlash

Published: 18 July, 2022

The government has announced that it will extend the alcohol off-sales easement, introduced during the pandemic, to September 2023, following a campaign led by UKHospitality and other sector bodies.

7,000 pubs forced to close in last 10 years

Published: 04 July, 2022

According to real estate consultancy Altus Group, the number of pubs in England and Wales is now at its lowest point on record, down by more than 7,000 in the last decade.

‘Critical’ staff shortages costs hospitality £21bn in trade

Published: 23 June, 2022

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels and causing nearly half (45%) of operators to cut trading hours or capacity in order to cope, a new survey has said.

UK Hospitality sets out its vision to support government’s Levelling Up agenda

Published: 23 May, 2022

A new report from UKHospitality, Level up hospitality – level up society, highlights how the sector is uniquely positioned to deliver growth and opportunity across the country and play its part in delivering the government’s and society’s priorities, by generating jobs and economic growth.

On-trade calls for hold on VAT rise

Published: 11 March, 2022

In April, the VAT on hospitality sector purchases will return to the pre-pandemic rate of 20%. The increase follows two years of reduced rates for the industry; in July 2020, rates were reduced to 5% before rising to 12.5% in October last year.

Hospitality sector urges government to stall VAT hike in April

Published: 08 February, 2022

In a campaign organised by UKHospitality, more than 250 business leaders from the service and leisure industries have written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging the government to keep VAT at 12.5% beyond March 2022.

Guidance offered on new food calorie labelling regulations, which folds in no and low drinks

Published: 31 January, 2022

New legislation is set to be implemented this year, requiring businesses with over 250 employees to display calories information for food products sold to consumers.

Easing of testing restrictions 'shot in the arm' for hospitality sector

Published: 25 January, 2022

Yesterday's (24 January) announcement from the government that international visitors to the UK that are vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer be required to test on arrival from February has been welcomed by UKHospitality.