Quarterly rent day dampens relief over 2 metre relaxation

The quarterly rent due 24 June, just a day after PM Boris Johnson relaxed the 2 metre rule while confirming 4 July reopening for hospitality, comes as a sobering reminder that the on-trade’s woes are far from over.

PM confirms on-trade reopening as 4 July and reduces ‘distancing’ to 1 metre

PM Boris Johnson has confirmed the reopening date for the hospitality sector as 4 July, while also reducing the current social distancing rule from 2 metres to 1 metre. 

Initiative to help homeless ex-hospitality workers launches

Seedlip and No.3 London Dry Gin have partnered with a couple of furloughed hospitality workers to launch a fundraising initiative in support of the growing number of homeless people caused by Covid-19. 

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2020 award winners to be announced in November

Winners of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier 2020 competitions will be announced at an awards dinner on 20 November. 

Primum Familiae Vini launches €100,000 annual prize

BWS sales through grocers continue to boom

Alcohol sales through grocery stores continued to boom in the past four weeks, up 43% year-on-year, as the on-trade stayed shuttered.

New app and bar as Soho’s Trade embraces post-pandemic landscape

Hospitality members’ club Trade is to shift to a “virtual version” of the club’s benefits post-lockdown, looking to evolve its industry support ethos with the launch of a resource-based app.

Amazon online drinks boom sustained by ‘grey pound’

Driven by the lockdown to online purchasing, some 3.3 million UK shoppers bought drinks via Amazon for the first time, with older shoppers predicted to uphold the trend.

Cointreau steps up Drinks Trust support

Cointreau has teamed up with a London floral designer to launch a fundraising initiative in support of The Drinks Trust.

Pre-registration and ordering apps considered for on-trade reopening

On-trade visitors may have to register before going to pub, bars and restaurants, health secretary Matt Hancock has suggested.

On-trade groups take initiative on reopening

Many UK pub, restaurant and café operators have set a 4 July reopening in motion despite there still being no announcement from government confirming either the date or possible easing of the 2 metre rule.

Cramele Recas secures Waitrose listing

Cramele Recas has secured its first listing with Waitrose.

Research confirms protracted on-trade recovery

A new survey of UK Hospitality (UKH) members has confirmed that hospitality businesses are expecting a lengthy and painful recovery, with levels of trade expected to be significantly supressed for many months to come.

Friday read: English Chardonnay hits its stride

With a raft of new releases in the run-up to English Wine Week, producers are championing the potential of cool-climate Chardonnay, writes Barnaby Eales.

English Wine Week set to fizz

Picnics, quizzes, virtual tours, tastings and winemaker webinars are among the myriad events set to fly the flag during English Wine Week on 20-28 June.

Government extends lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium

The government has extended the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium to the 30 September, giving hospitality businesses crucial breathing space. 

Bourgogne less impacted by Covid-19 than feared

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has recorded an overall dip in exports of 1.8% by volume for the first four months of 2020.

Ehrmanns pours Beefsteak into cans

Ehrmanns Wines has launched its Beefsteak Club Mendoza Malbec in 250ml can format (rrp: £2.99).

‘Distancing’ most important to on-trade guests post-lockdown

Having social distancing measures in place has been revealed to be the key concern for consumers when they return to the on-trade post-lockdown, according to new research released by Hallgarten & Novum Wines today. 

Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie emerges ‘unscathed’ from lockdown

Consorzio Doc delle Venezie says it has come out "unscathed" from the lockdown, with bottling numbers stable  (+0.39) at the end of May compared to 2019.