Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

More uncertainty over re-opening

Published: 08 June, 2021

With the rise of the Indian variant, the promised land of no restrictions is looking unlikely for this month. Lisa Riley reports.

Banks brothers launch premium canned wine brand

Published: 08 June, 2021

The trio behind Michelin-starred restaurants The Black Swan and Roots, brothers Tommy and James Banks and business partner Matt Lockwood, have launched their own range of premium canned wines.

UKH: ‘DRS must be workable for hospitality'

Published: 07 June, 2021

Safety and space concerns, increased business costs and bureaucracy caused by the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) would place a disproportionate burden on many hospitality businesses, UK Hospitality (UKH) has said in response to the government’s proposal on the scheme.

Report finds racism in hospitality, but appetite for change

Published: 03 June, 2021

More than half of black, Asian and ethnic minority hospitality professionals have experienced or witnessed racism at work, according to a new Inside Hospitality Report from Be Inclusive Hospitality.

Recruitment and retention ‘huge’ concerns for hospitality

Published: 03 June, 2021

Fears of staff shortages after the pandemic and Brexit, plus challenges in keeping post-furlough teams productive have come out as key concerns for hospitality business leaders.

UKH launches Jobcentre Plus initiative

Published: 03 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has joined forces with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to launch a Jobcentre Plus initiative to promote sector opportunities to jobseekers.

Glasgow restrictions eased as Scottish opening paused

Published: 02 June, 2021

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are facing a transition phase as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a cautious easing of restrictions with Glasgow to move to level 2.

UKH: ‘Delay on further relaxation of restrictions will have devastating effect’

Published: 02 June, 2021

Any potential delay on further relaxation of restrictions this month would have a “devastating effect on an already-fragile hospitality sector”, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

UKH urges English outlets to prepare for new business rates payments

Published: 01 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged sector businesses in England to fully prepare for new business rates payments that will kick in from 1 July, with new bills expected to land in the coming weeks.

Home delivery and takeaway continued to boom in April

Published: 25 May, 2021

Despite the easing of on-trade restrictions, April delivered another bumper month for home delivery and takeaway dining from restaurant groups, with sales 345% higher than April 2019.

Job vacancies in hospitality sector rise 46%

Published: 25 May, 2021

The number of new job vacancies in the hospitality sector rose by 46% in the last two weeks, according to new analysis by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.

Only two in five hospitality business leaders say they’re trading at profit, though confidence is on the rise

Published: 24 May, 2021

Only two in five hospitality businesses are now either trading or are expected to trade at a profit by the end of June, a new survey from CGA and Fourth has revealed.

‘First-day back’ sales see 25% uplift for bars and restaurants on 17 May

Published: 20 May, 2021

After five weeks of outdoor-only trading, CGA research has revealed a strong start to the week for managed groups as consumers make the most of being able to drink and eat indoors for the first time since December.

Wine Guild launches free hospitality courses

Published: 18 May, 2021

The Wine Guild Education (WGEd), the skills development arm of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, has launched a new suite of free hospitality service training courses.

A third of licensed premises reopened in April

Published: 17 May, 2021

After only a third of licensed premises traded in GB's first phase of reopening, today (17 May) marks the opportunity for many more to finally reopen, with most of the two-thirds (67.1%) of operators that have not yet traded having the option to do so as the on-trade is allowed to reopen indoors.

Glass half empty

Published: 12 May, 2021

Restrictions may be lifting but there’s still a long way to go to return the on-trade to health, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Govt ditches on-trade BWS calorie labelling plans

Published: 12 May, 2021

The government has dropped plans to force hospitality businesses to list calorie content on alcoholic drinks, applying to both draught and pre-packaged offerings.

Wales’ restrictions relaxed further than England and Scotland with indoor reopening

Published: 12 May, 2021

Wales is the latest member of the UK to announce that hospitality businesses can open indoors from 17 May, following in the footsteps of England and Scotland, but with up to six people from different households able to meet.

SLTA: 'We’re a long way from fully reopening'

Published: 12 May, 2021

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has welcomed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's confirmation that the Scottish on-trade will be able to serve alcohol indoors until 10.30pm from 17 May, but warned the road ahead is long.

PM confirms reopening of hospitality from 17 May

Published: 10 May, 2021

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that hospitality venues will be able to open for indoor trading from 17 May, as part of the next stage of restrictions being lifted.