On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Pinnacle Guide: Stoke-on-Trent and Edinburgh bars among fresh awardees

Published: 30 October, 2026

Global cocktail bar recognition system The Pinnacle Guide has unveiled 29 new bars that have been awarded either one or two pins.

On-trade: Edinburgh rides the wave

Published: 30 October, 2026

Edinburgh’s on-trade has experienced a “bit of a boom” since the Covid pandemic, believes Stuart Skea, Harpers Top 50 Sommelier and head somm at Michelin-starred Lyla. The restaurant opened its doors in 2023, for example, quickly gaining rewards and renown in the three years since.

Research: Hospitality VAT cut could provide £6bn spending boost

Published: 28 October, 2026

Fresh analysis from card machine provide Dojo suggests a cut to VAT could unlock a £6.28bn spending boost for the UK on-trade.

On-trade: Reviving a true classic

Published: 28 October, 2026

Threaded into the DNA of London since opening in 1929, Giovanni Quaglino’s eponymous oasis fast became the haunt of aristos and fashionable society. Everyone from the Mountbattens and Mrs Simpson to Evelyn Waugh and King Alfonso of Spain patronised its restaurant and bar, with cocktails, dining and dancing very much fuelling its glitzy atmosphere.

Hospitality businesses struggle to profit as 80% say investment stifled by cost rises

Published: 23 October, 2026

Rising food, drink and energy costs are eroding margins for the hospitality sector, despite a summer trading boost due to weather and sporting events, according to a new survey.

Hospitality’s rising stars urge government to protect youth jobs amid Neets crisis

Published: 21 October, 2026

Hospitality leaders under 30 have issued a joint statement to the UK government, coordinated by UK Hospitality, urging it to reduce employment costs and protect entry-level jobs amid the Neets crisis, which shows no sign of abating.

Canned Wine Group: Acquisition boosts draught wine offer

Published: 20 October, 2026

Alternative packaging business the Canned Wine Group has announced its acquisition of New Theory – a South African low-intervention wine brand.

Hospitality VAT petition delivered to 10 Downing Street ahead of Budget

Published: 14 October, 2026

The #VATsTheProblem campaign has attracted more than 400,000 signatories from across the hospitality sector, with an official petition delivered to the Prime Minister's office two weeks before Chancellor Healey's 28 October Budget.

Sommelier Wine Awards 2027 open for submissions

Published: 14 October, 2026

The Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) has opened to entries for its 2027 round of judging.

BIH Spotlight Awards 2026 winners unveiled

Published: 14 October, 2026

London’s swish Quaglino’s once again provided the backdrop for the Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) Awards bash this year, with the popular event bringing together 300 industry professionals to celebrate the sector’s Black and ethnic minority talent.

The Savoy launches Beaufort Wine Bar

Published: 14 October, 2026

Iconic London hotel The Savoy has opened the Beaufort Wine Bar, a new wine-focused bar featuring more than 250 selections from 18 countries, including niche propositions from Croatia to Tenerife, as well as Bordeaux First Growths, blue-chip Burgundy and mature Champagne.

On-trade: Buyers on their value wine finds

Published: 02 October, 2026

Hospitality is being squeezed on all sides, with the combination of rising costs and nervous customers creating a significant pinch-point on pricing. Too low and venues are busy but unprofitable; too high and their customers stay away altogether.

The Ritz duo win Copa Jerez UK

Published: 29 September, 2026

Sommelier Léonard Lievin and chef Aaron Blais – both from The Ritz Restaurant – have been announced as the winners of the Copa Jerez UK 2026.

Scottish government backs VAT campaign

Published: 29 September, 2026

The Scottish government has announced its support for the #VATsTheProblem campaign, which aims to cut VAT on hospitality to 10%.

Welsh government announces 30% rates cut for hospitality

Published: 15 September, 2026

The Welsh government has announced a 30% rates cut for high-street businesses including pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, live music venues and licensed clubs in a move intended to “breathe new life into town centres”.

The Savoy to launch new wine bar

Published: 07 September, 2026

London’s grande dame hotel The Savoy is set to open Beaufort Wine Bar this October as the historic hotel’s “dedicated wine discovery destination”.

Pinnacle Guide: Seven bars from Birmingham to Belfast gain two Pins

Published: 07 September, 2026

The Pinnacle Guide – the recognition system that awards the globe’s top cocktail bars – has unveiled that seven venues have moved up from one Pin to two Pins as part of the guide’s first ever renewal process.

Winner of 31 Days of German Wine announced

Published: 02 September, 2026

Bristol- and Plymouth-based Le Vignoble has come out on top of Wines of Germany's 31 Days of German Wine promotion, achieving the highest score out of all participating merchants and restaurants.

Tom Fahey: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 02 September, 2026

Another on-trade innovator features in our annual summer Q&A series. Tom Fahey, sommelier and chef patron at The Terrace Rooms & Wine, details the success of his new wholesale arm, the challenges of negotiating the Isle of Wight’s quiet off-season and why he is listing dark rosés as chilled reds.

Bethany Pogson: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 28 August, 2026

Top somm at Cambridge’s Michelin-starred Restaurant Twenty-Two Bethany Pogson provides her perspective for our ongoing summer Q&A. Here she reflects on negotating the impact of the cost-of-living, the success of the venue's in-house wine club and the appeal of Niagaran ice wine.