News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Wine Society temporarily closes

Published: 24 March, 2020

The Wine Society has taken the decision to stop taking new orders and also to stop making deliveries with immediate effect.

Majestic shuts down shops but continues delivery service

Published: 24 March, 2020

Majestic has temporarily closed its doors to the public following last night’s UK ‘lockdown’ announcement by the Prime Minister.

Premium drinking habits in the firing line amid economic shutdown

Published: 24 March, 2020

The ‘less but better’ mantra adopted by the trade over the past decade could be facing an existential threat, an industry expert has warned, as the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic hits the reset button on drinking habits.

Bacardi launches $3m on-trade support initiative

Published: 24 March, 2020

Bacardi has pledged $3m to support bars and restaurants around the world debilitated by the coronavirus shutdown.

Government clarifies ‘lockdown’ on and off-trade measures

Published: 24 March, 2020

The government has clarified the measures required to be taken by both the on and off-trade following the announcement last night of a three-week nationwide UK ‘lockdown’.

Government guidance, Covid-19: access to support for businesses

Published: 24 March, 2020

Information for businesses on how to access the Chancellor's various support packages can be found at www.gov.uk

PM announces three-week nationwide ‘lockdown’

Published: 23 March, 2020

UK PM Boris Johnson has announced a national ‘lockdown’ for an initial three-week period following reluctance from part of the UK public to follow government guidance.

Government confirms lease forfeiture moratorium for commercial businesses

Published: 23 March, 2020

The government has confirmed that it has extended the residential moratorium on lease forfeiture and debt enforcement to commercial leases.

Drinks companies join forces to plea for duty suspension

Published: 23 March, 2020

An initial 32 drinks companies (all WSTA members) have joined forces to plea for a cash lifeline, calling collectively on the Chancellor to suspend duty.

Hospitality industry reiterates urgency of lease forfeiture moratorium

Published: 23 March, 2020

The hospitality industry has reiterated the urgency of the implementation of a six-month lease forfeiture moratorium for commercial businesses to prevent landlords taking control of premises in the event of non-payment of rents.

On-trade continues to explore alternative paths

Published: 23 March, 2020

Following the government’s shut down of all but takeaway services across the UK restaurant, bar and pub sectors, operators are continuing to explore new avenues to generate revenue or simply help their community while the coronavirus (Covid-19) spread advances.

Daniel Lambert announces closure and calls on other agents to follow suit

Published: 23 March, 2020

Daniel Lambert Wines has become one of the first wine agents to announce it will be closing down due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

Jascots calls out to retail and wholesalers in need of stock as it pivots away from on-trade

Published: 23 March, 2020

On-trade supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has announced it is switching its focus to home-delivery and wholesale retail after sales plummeted from 85% of ‘normal’ to zero in the space of four days.

Diageo GB funds drinks information line

Published: 22 March, 2020

Diageo has today launched an information phone line that will be available to support licensed business owners who want to access the commercial measures announced by the government.

PM briefing: On-trade shut down, plus 80% wage guarantee for employees furloughed and VAT deferment

Published: 20 March, 2020

The UK Prime Minister has announced that all UK pubs, bars and restaurants must close from tonight (Friday 20 March), with theatres, cinemas and gyms also to close as soon as they reasonable can.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Published: 20 March, 2020

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

On-trade sales drop 15% in week before ‘warning’

Published: 20 March, 2020

On-trade sales declined 15% in the week up to 15 March, before the Prime Minister’s warning that the public should avoid going to pubs, clubs and social venues because of the growing coronavirus (Covid-19) threat.