On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Majestic announces new lead for commercial arm

Published: 19 February, 2025

Matt Davies, former Enotria&Coe and Sipsmith director, has been appointed general manager of Majestic Commerical, the B2B arm of Majestic.

Hospitality trade sees growth again in December

Published: 13 February, 2025

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) can reveal hospitality had another strong month in December 2024, with output for the food and drink sector growing 2%. This made it the largest contributor to growth for the wider consumer-facing services industry.

New figures show night time economy in slight decline

Published: 12 February, 2025

A new report by CGA by NIQ and the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the trade association representing the night time industry, shows that the total number of nightclubs, late-night bars and casinos fell by 2.8% to 2,264 venues as of December 2024.

Vagabond announces suite of new senior appointments amid expansion drive

Published: 11 February, 2025

Four new senior appointments have been made by the Majestic-owned wine bar business Vagabond, including the hiring of Jack Merrylees as head of marketing and PR.

Hospitality closures hold steady in 2024

Published: 29 January, 2025

The UK’s ‘licensed’ venues saw virtually no change in total numbers last year, with 4078 closures and 4085 openings, according to the Hospitality Market Monitor, from CGA by NIQ and Alix Partners. The total number of venues, including pubs, bars, restaurant, nightclubs and hotels, sat at 99,120 operating in December 2024.

Bar Rioja-owner opens two new London venues

Published: 22 January, 2025

Camino, the Spanish tapas bar and restaurant whose portfolio includes Bar Rioja, a bar dedicated solely to wines from the region, is opening two new venues in Farringdon and Kings Cross.

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”.

Soho House extends low & no offer as Dry January gets into full swing

Published: 03 January, 2025

The Soho House group has unveiled a new range of non-alcoholic and low ABV cocktails, as UK businesses prepare for a long month of sobriety and abstinence.

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.

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.

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.

‘Thousands will miss out’ on Scottish 40% business rates relief

Published: 05 December, 2024

The Scottish government has announced that it will introduce 40% business rates relief for hospitality businesses in a move which looks to ease the burden on a struggling sector. However, not everyone will benefit.

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.

Lobbyists demand 'pro-business Scottish Budget' as inflation continues to bite

Published: 02 December, 2024

Key stakeholders in Scotland’s hospitality and retail sectors have warned of dire consequences unless the government delivers “urgent reform” in the forthcoming Budget.

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.

Bar 44 expands no & low offer to meet rising demand

Published: 25 November, 2024

Award-winning Spanish restaurant group Bar 44 has significantly expanded its portfolio of no & low beverages, including new wines, beers and a 'Lilt Sangria' at 0% ABV.