On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Top 50 Sommeliers open for nominations

Published: 24 April, 2025

Harpers Top 50 Sommeliers listing is now open for nominations from the trade.

A third round for The Pinnacle Guide

Published: 15 April, 2025

The Pinnacle Guide – the global recognition system for the world’s best cocktail bars – has announced the latest additions to its list, with 85 now awarded across 12 countries.

The Pinnacle Guide: Elevating the drinks trade

Published: 11 April, 2025

Becoming the drinks industry’s answer to the Michelin Guide is no easy feat. As Hannah Sharman-Cox, co-founder of The Pinnacle Guide, says: “It’s one of those things where other people have said ‘I had that idea too’. But no one has actually done it, have they?”

Hopes licensing review can cut red tape for hospitality

Published: 07 April, 2025

A new working group, which includes industry body UKHospitality (UKH), has been announced by the UK government to look into how to reduce barriers in the country’s licensing system.

Wages stagnate for hospitality

Published: 24 March, 2025

The latest Salary Survey from KAM paints a concerning picture for workers in the hospitality sector, as the number of those earning £30,000 or less per year increases for the second year in a row.

Flat February for hospitality as consumer spending tightens

Published: 21 March, 2025

Britain’s leading restaurant, pub and bar groups delivered fractional like-for-like sales growth of just 0.1% in February, signalling a challenging start to 2025 for the sector as consumers continue to remain watchful of their disposable income.

Meteorological phenomenon and economic headwinds dent consumer confidence

Published: 19 March, 2025

A new survey released by Lumina Intelligence suggests that a combination of inclement weather and financial pressures impacted on-trade visits in February 2025, although the pub sector enjoyed a relatively strong performance.

Four Seasons appoints new head of bars

Published: 14 March, 2025

The Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge has appointed top mixologist Michele Lombardi to lead the drinks offer at one of the group’s key London locations.

Mounting costs drive hospitality confidence to two-year low

Published: 12 March, 2025

Hospitality business confidence has hit a low not seen since October 2022, when inflation peaked at a 40-year high.

Drinks Trust wellbeing initiative sees positive first year

Published: 12 March, 2025

The Business Advisory Programme (BAP) was launched by The Drinks Trust in late 2023 to help drinks and hospitality businesses place wellbeing at the heart of their people strategy. In its first year 14 companies representing 3,500 industry employees have joined while 46 wellbeing champions have been trained.

Autumn Budget to cost Wetherspoon £60m

Published: 07 March, 2025

The first Labour-backed Budget of the new government is expected to have a significant impact on the balance sheet of popular pub group J D Wetherspoon, just as the company was on track to return to steady growth.

Nearly two thirds of SMEs see tax as biggest challenge

Published: 27 February, 2025

Data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) can reveal that 63% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) saw taxation as their primary business challenge. The data, which was gathered following the Autumn Budget, represents an increase compared to Q3 of 2024 when 48% of business owners saw it as their primary challenge.

Hospitality suffers sales drop for January

Published: 27 February, 2025

Figures from CGA by NIQ and RSM’s Hospitality Business Tracker reveal that year-on-year sales dropped by 1.3% in January 2025 compared to the same month last year. This represents only the tracker’s second recorded month of negative trading since early 2022.

Hospitality sector awaits EU youth mobility scheme decision

Published: 24 February, 2025

Recent reports indicate the UK government could introduce an Australia-style youth mobility scheme for EU citizens as part of efforts to reset post-Brexit relations. The decision could have significant implications for the hospitality sector which has faced recruitment challenges since Brexit.

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.