Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Government to meet with hospitality minister petitioners

Published: 10 February, 2021

Business minister Paul Scully will meet with with petitioners calling for a minister for hospitality, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

Chapel Down to place Curious Drinks into administration

Published: 09 February, 2021

Chapel Down is to dispose of its Curious Drinks business to a NewCo, established by private equity firm Risk Capital Partners (RCP).

UKH Scotland reiterates calls for support as Sturgeon says no easing of restrictions

Published: 03 February, 2021

The hospitality industry in Scotland is again calling for financial support as First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon revealed that there would be no easing of restrictions due to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Four in five eager to get back to going out

Published: 01 February, 2021

Consumers are badly missing hospitality experiences, with four in five, or 80%, hoping to revisit the on-trade within a few weeks of reopening, according to the latest edition of CGA’s 2021 Hospitality Consumer Forecast, which explores attitudes to the on-trade while Britain remains under lockdown.

Tech & Innovation: The rule of change

Published: 01 February, 2021

A surge of smaller, indie-focused delivery platforms and third-party apps are helping to bridge the gap between neighbourhood restaurants, bars and consumers, accelerating pre-lockdown trends, as Jo Gilbert discovers

Pandemic cost hospitality £200m a day in 2020

Published: 28 January, 2021

Turnover for the hospitality sector dropped to less than half of 2019 levels in 2020, slipping by almost £72bn, which translates to nearly £200m a day, according to the latest edition of the UK Hospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker.

Minister dashes hopes of VAT cut extension

Published: 27 January, 2021

A treasury minister has said there are “no current plans” to further extend the reduction in VAT for hospitality businesses despite estimates that rising rates could directly and permanently impact the sector and lead to the loss of up to 310,000 jobs.

Take Out to Help Out e-book from Bums on Seats

Published: 25 January, 2021

Bums on Seats has launched a free e-book resource, Take Out to Help Out, giving advice for on-trade operators as to how best to develop and market an at home dining offer.

WSTA and SMEs call on Chancellor for further support in budget

Published: 21 January, 2021

Many of the UK’s best known wine and spirit SMEs have written a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to cut duty while extended the hospitality’s VAT cut to provide further relief for those struggling with the pandemic.

Nicholls marks one year Covid ‘anniversary’ – “We didn’t know it would be a tsunami”

Published: 21 January, 2021

UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls has renewed calls for additional government support a year on from her first strategy meetings with ministers at the beginning of the pandemic.

CGA: ‘Suppliers well placed to help operators capitalise on post-lockdown opportunities’

Published: 19 January, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered important changes in people’s attitudes to food and created a split between those seeking quality and value, but suppliers are well placed to help operators capitalise on post-lockdown sales opportunities, a new CGA survey has suggested.

Game on 2021: Hospitality needs to come out fighting fit

Published: 14 January, 2021

The new edition of Harpers, out today, will reach readers hot on the heels of a parliamentary debate on the need for the creation of a minister for hospitality role in UK government. Resulting from the success of the Seat at the Table petition launched by hotelier Robin Hutson, of The Pig group and (formerly) Hotel du Vin fame, the proposal gained “an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners”, as reported by Harpers.

Up to 310,000 hospitality jobs at risk without 5% VAT extension

Published: 14 January, 2021

Up to 310,000 jobs across the hospitality and tourism sector are at risk without an extension of the reduced 5% VAT rate, a new survey has revealed.

Hospitality and foodservice revenues forecasted to drop £30bn in 2021

Published: 13 January, 2021

Revenues across the hospitality and foodservice industry have been forecasted to take a £30bn hit this year, with Covid restrictions likely to play out well into 2021.

Parliamentary hospitality debate shows cross-party sector support

Published: 12 January, 2021

The debate on whether to create a minister for hospitality in the UK government showed cross-party support for the struggling sector, with an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners.

CGA: ‘Staff engagement crucial over lockdown’

Published: 11 January, 2021

Businesses need to stay close to their teams during Britain’s lockdown to make sure staff are engaged and motivated when venues reopen, according to CGA’s latest Business Confidence Survey.

New Horizons Q&A: Louise Gordon, Heckfield Place

Published: 07 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for a better year.

New Horizons Q&A: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

Published: 04 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

Nicholls awarded OBE

Published: 04 January, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list for her services to the hospitality sector.

Minister of hospitality petition exceeds 100,000 signatures

Published: 16 December, 2020

A campaign pushing for a minister of hospitality has exceeded its target of 100,000 signatures, meaning parliament must now consider the topic for debate.