Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

St Pancras' Booking Office given a Victoriana refurb

Published: 15 December, 2021

Booking Office 1869

Scotland's winter budget offers relief to struggling businesses

Published: 10 December, 2021

SNP finance secretary Kate Forbes outlined the 2021/22 budget in the Scottish parliament yesterday (9 December), with some good news for ailing retailers and hospitality venues.

A Plan B Christmas will put the industry under “severe pressure”

Published: 09 December, 2021

A re-tightening of restrictions is threatening to put a pin in Christmas celebrations, causing more gloom for the hospitality sector as the government rubber stamps plans to introduce vaccine passports for late-night venues.

Scottish hospitality sector relieved as passport scheme not extended

Published: 24 November, 2021

Yesterday's announcement by the Scottish government that the Covid-19 passport scheme will not be expanded to encompass the wider licensed hospitality industry has been met with relief and jubilation.

Be Inclusive Hospitality launches new diversity survey

Published: 22 November, 2021

Charitable organisation 'Be Inclusive Hospitality launched its second inclusivity and diversity survey today (22 November), building on the inaugural project founded in 2020.

Scotland delays implementation of Deposit Return Scheme

Published: 18 November, 2021

A perfect storm of Covid-19, Brexit and a struggling hospitality sector has delayed the introduction of Scotland's inaugural DRS scheme, according to Scottish Minister Lorna Slater.

Hospitality Rising launches recruitment campaign

Published: 18 November, 2021

Hospitality Rising, a collaborative movement dedicated to increasing recruitment levels in the industry, is aiming to raise £5m by running “the biggest hospitality recruitment advertising campaign the world has ever seen”.

CGA report hints at hospitality recovery

Published: 15 November, 2021

New data released by CGA Strategy offers a glimpse of a beleaguered industry in resurgence, with total sales rising in Britain's managed pubs, restaurants and bars.

Hospitality is in ‘peril’ and ‘fighting’ for survival

Published: 12 November, 2021

The hospitality sector is “an industry in peril” that is fighting for its life, the latest edition of the UKHospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker has said.

Business rates for hospitality cut by 50% for one year

Published: 27 October, 2021

Today’s Budget announcement included a year-long cut to business rates for the leisure and retail industry, meaning pubs, restaurants and bars will pay 50% less for 12 months.

Soapbox: Why 2021’s skills shortage could be the best thing to happen to the hospitality industry

Published: 26 October, 2021

For many workers in hospitality, it’s not only low pay, but aggression and isolation that are the norm. It’s time to change things, says Simon King, former operations director for Gordon Ramsay Group and co-owner of new Surrey gastropub The Victoria Oxshott.

Over 200 hospitality bosses join call to keep VAT at 12.5%

Published: 25 October, 2021

Over 200 hospitality CEOs have signed a letter urging the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to permanently keep VAT at 12.5%.

SITT: The Future of the On-Trade

Published: 19 October, 2021

Harpers’ Shaping the Future of the On-Trade debate at SITT London brought together leading operators to discuss the changing face of business in a post-pandemic world.

Hospitality workers accuse bosses of keeping tips

Published: 18 October, 2021

More than half of hospitality workers in the UK claim their bosses lie about tips, according to new research by comparison site money.co.uk.

UKHospitality urges backing for Hospitality Apprenticeships Week

Published: 18 October, 2021

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the sector to use Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2021 as a platform to champion the diverse and exciting careers on offer.

Licensed sector shrinks by 10,000 sites

Published: 13 October, 2021

The licensed sector has shrunk by nearly 10,000 sites from pre-Covid levels, the new Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners has revealed.

The Drinks Trust launches first ever charity auction

Published: 12 October, 2021

The Drinks Trust has launched ‘Cream of the Crop’, its first ever charity auction aiming to raise £75k to support the people who produce and pour drinks across the UK.

SME distillers call for duty freeze to prevent the British gin bubble from bursting

Published: 12 October, 2021

Britain’s gin makers are calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze spirit duty and extend hospitality’s VAT cut to alcoholic drinks to help boost British business.