Friday Read: Hospitality is in for a rough ride

Wine duty hikes, currency devaluation, Brexit uncertainty – the Conservative government has been no friend of the wine trade. When the previous budget was unveiled in 2019, wine was the only drinks category to be hit with a duty rise. It was another ill-timed kick in the teeth for the trade, at a time when businesses were already coping with escalating overheads and staff shortages.

Rising price of wine threatens half of UK shoppers

The average retail price of a bottle of still wine will break the £6 barrier in the UK for the first time this year, according to new figures from the WSTA.

WSTA reiterates call for duty cut

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has reiterated its call for a cut in duty.    

Duty increase backfires

The last hike in wine duty delivered an own goal, denting government revenues. Andrew Catchpole asks if a limit has been reached

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Spotlight on 2020: Damian Clarke, Freixenet Copestick

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Food and drink industry gives cautious welcome to Tory victory

The food and drink industry has given a cautious welcome to the Conservative party’s general election win last night, which saw the Tories claim 364 seats, securing a majority parliament compared to rival Labour’s 203.  

Government hit by fall in wine-duty revenues

Wine duty receipts fell back 2.1% in the first six months of the financial year, according to data released by the government.

WineGB welcomes MPs' support for UK wineries

WineGB has welcomed the move from a number of MPs for more support for the UK’s small vineyards.

UK drinks tax discriminates against women, finds research

The unequal distribution of duty on wine and beer is biased against women, according to research conducted on behalf of campaign group Wine Drinkers UK.

Wine trade faces £70m ‘paperwork’ bill in no-deal Brexit scenario

A hard Brexit is poised to land the wine trade with a £70m bill following the government pulling the cork on plans to suspend costly paperwork in the case of a no-deal scenario, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

WSTA welcomes move to reinstate duty free for travellers

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s plan to reinstate duty-free for travellers moving between the UK and the EU in the event of a no deal Brexit.

WSTA announces full line up for 2019 Industry Summit

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced its full line up of experts poised to take the stage at the 2019 Industry Summit.

On-trade secrets: Top tips for buying for the on-trade

What are the secrets to buying wine for the on-trade? Does it differ from buying for other sectors? And what are the current trends that buyers are embracing?

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

Chancellor’s wine hikes to go live at midnight

The wine industry is being warned to prepare for today’s rise in duty, which will push up a bottle of still wine by 7p to £2.23 overnight.

Ban on post duty point dilution could hammer British made and low abv wine

A change to legislation in the 2018 Budget policy document could have a significant impact on products made from concentrate in the UK, including British made wine, low abv wines, RTDs, sherry-style drinks and flavoured ciders – anything which is diluted after fermentation.

Missed opportunity: What a rise with inflation means for the UK wine trade

Pub landlords and spirits importers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning, but not the nation’s wine trade – which is looking at an extra £90 million bill in duty next year.

Duty frozen for spirits, cider and beer, but wine will rise with inflation

Investing in Britain’s future was one of the anthems that ran through Philip Hammond’s autumn Budget speech this afternoon.

UK winemakers lobby government to scrap “damaging” planned tax rises

Winemakers in England and Wales have banded together to try and convince the government to rethink plans for a duty hike that could hamper exports and stifle growth.