Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Harnessing the power of low & no

Published: 13 January, 2025

With one in three visits to UK pubs now alcohol-free, the onus is on hospitality to create a winning low & no menu. Jo Gilbert discovers more.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Erik Simonics, Sunset Hospitality Group

Published: 10 January, 2025

Rounding off our end of year talking heads is Erik Simonics, head of wine & beverage UK for Sunset Hospitality Group, as he reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Maximising Christmas returns in hospitality

Published: 10 January, 2025

Jo Gilbert set out to discover if December will be haunted by the ghosts of Covid and Brexit past and, if so, what the sector can learn from them.

Food & Beverage programme relaunches to help 'struggling hospitality sector'

Published: 06 January, 2025

Leading restaurateur Neville Abraham CBE is encouraging applicants of all backgrounds to apply for his innovative F&B Manager Development Programme, initially launched in October last year.

Vivat Bacchus join forces with Africa College Foundation to ‘empower South African youth’

Published: 06 January, 2025

London-based South African restaurant Vivat Bacchus has unveiled a new partnership with the charity Africa College Foundation, forging a pact to “support education for disadvantaged youth in South Africa”.

UK bar sector celebrates ‘welcome boost’ during festive period

Published: 03 January, 2025

A new report from CGA by NIQ, the first of 2025, contains some good news for the UK’s beleaguered hospitality industry, as bar sales surged by 20.5% over the pre-Christmas week.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Duncan Gammie, The Wee Vinoteca

Published: 27 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Duncan Gammie, sommelier and founder of The Wee Vinoteca, as he reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Vanessa Stoltz, Restaurant Pine

Published: 24 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Vanessa Stoltz, head sommelier at Restaurant Pine, as she reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Elton Muco, 67 Pall Mall

Published: 23 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Elton Muco, deputy head sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, as he reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Hospitality sector enjoys ‘first real-terms growth since June 2024’

Published: 18 December, 2024

Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in November 2024, marking the first ‘real-terms growth’ since June this year.

The Mason’s Arms

Published: 13 December, 2024

The Mason’s Arms provides a warm, historic setting with a strong emphasis on traditional British pub drinks.

The bar, crafted from reclaimed church panels, offers a range of local ales and ciders, served through specially designed taps that reflect the pub’s heritage. Guests can enjoy outdoor drinks in the summer, with service provided through a garden hatch. The drinks menu includes tankards of Black Velvet served from a 1920s pewter oyster bar, sourced from an antiques market in the south of France.

Muse at RSA House

Published: 11 December, 2024

Muse, the new bar at RSA House, highlights British ingredients with creative cocktails focusing on wild, traceable botanicals.

Dynamic Vines

Published: 09 December, 2024

Dynamic Vines has opened its first wine shop and bar, offering an extensive selection of organic and biodynamic wines from small, sustainable European producers.

Focusing on independent winemakers who prioritise terroir, the bar removes corkage fees to make its wines accessible for in-house enjoyment. Fraher & Findlay’s natural-toned design enhances the laid-back tasting experience, with wines displayed horizontally to encourage customer engagement. An ever-evolving menu offers premium by-the-glass options and regular tastings introduce new producers. Membership perks include discounts and UK-wide delivery, making this a local haven for exploring seasonal, minimal-intervention wines.

UK pub culture in partial resurgence says new survey

Published: 09 December, 2024

Reports of the terminal decline of the quintessential British boozer have been greatly exaggerated, according to a new survey by SumUp.

Global on-trade ‘showing signs of revival’ says new report

Published: 06 December, 2024

Data released by the IWSR has revealed a year-on-year rise in “on-trade consumption incidences” in certain markets, gathering information from consumers in countries such as China, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the UK and the US.

Elevating baijiu with Melody Wong

Published: 04 December, 2024

Andrew Catchpole speaks to The Peninsula’s director of wine Melody Wong about her high-flying role and the mission to elevate baijiu in the UK.

New report forecasts 'modest growth' in UK restaurant sector

Published: 29 November, 2024

Research undertaken by Lumina Intelligence suggests that the UK restaurant market will grow by 1.3% in 2024, reaching a total value of £19.0 billion.

Hospitality industry witnesses significant growth in Gen Z business directors

Published: 25 November, 2024

New data released by Companies House has revealed that the hospitality sector has the third-largest proportion of Gen Z business directors, with 1,630 registered entities now steered by the under 30 cohort.

Bodega Argento unveils new partnership with Fulham FC

Published: 25 November, 2024

Bodega Argento has become an Official Argentinian Wine Partner of the Premier League football club, in addition to supplying the new Fulham Pier venue.

Scottish businesses to pay 'up to 70% more in rates' versus across the border

Published: 22 November, 2024

New analysis released by UKHospitality Scotland has revealed that hospitality businesses will be significantly worse off than their English counterparts, unless the Scottish government takes decisive action to introduce business rates relief in its forthcoming Budget.