On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

SWAs full results revealed for 2024

Published: 01 July, 2024

Harpers is delighted to announce the results of the revamped and rebooted Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) which were revealed this afternoon (1 July) at Imbibe Live.

Des Gunewardena to launch major F&B concept at revamped British 'institution'

Published: 01 July, 2024

Restaurant tycoon Des Gunewardena is set to launch a major new restaurant, bar and events space at the new £1.3bn redevelopment of Olympia in West London.

The results: Top 50 Sommeliers 2024

Published: 01 July, 2024

Harpers is delighted to reveal our newly expanded Top 50 Sommeliers list, celebrating the best in this dynamic and hugely important part of the hospitality and drinks world. Special congratulations go to Gareth Ferreira MS, head sommelier and beverage director at Core by Clare Smyth, who tops an incredible round up of talent.

UK restaurant groups see record May delivery sales growth

Published: 25 June, 2024

Britain’s leading managed restaurant groups experienced their highest year-on-year growth in delivery sales for 2024 last month, according to CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker.

UKH welcomes pledge of ‘comprehensive review’ for England's nighttime economy

Published: 24 June, 2024

The Conservative Party has committed in its manifesto to a comprehensive review of England's nighttime economy, aiming to overhaul existing licensing laws and planning regulations.

Hospitality faces mixed fortunes amidst economic challenges

Published: 19 June, 2024

The UK hospitality sector continues to experience a turbulent period, as highlighted by a series of reports and statistics. Despite significant challenges, the industry demonstrated resilience with a notable year-on-year sales growth in May 2024.

SWA Merchant and Producer Awards to be unveiled at Imbibe Live!

Published: 14 June, 2024

Having crunched the numbers and totted up the results, the Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) 2024 winners, including Merchant and Producer of the Year awards, plus the Wines of the Year, are to be announced at Imbibe Live! on 1 July at London Olympia.

Parties urged to back hospitality to 'serve Britain’

Published: 13 June, 2024

Hospitality can deliver for Britain by growing 6% a year and creating 500,000 new jobs with the right investment, according to economic analysis from UKHospitality and Ignite Economics.

Only A Pavement Away expands to Scotland and Manchester

Published: 12 June, 2024

Only A Pavement Away, the charity dedicated to helping those facing homelessness secure employment in the hospitality sector, has announced its expansion into Scotland and Manchester. The move aligns with the charity’s broader goal of establishing a UK-wide presence.

Drinks Trust Survey: Wellbeing key to success in hospitality

Published: 12 June, 2024

A recent study by The Drinks Trust highlights the critical role of proactive wellbeing support for the success of the drinks and hospitality industry. The annual Drinks Trust Industry Survey, conducted in partnership with Kingsland Drinks, reveals the challenges faced by industry professionals over the past year and outlines the importance of positive wellbeing initiatives.

The Ledbury named Best Restaurant in the UK 2024

Published: 11 June, 2024

Brett Graham’s acclaimed Notting Hill restaurant, The Ledbury, has been crowned the Best Restaurant in the UK for 2024, marking a triumphant return to the top spot after a 12-year hiatus. The Ledbury, which previously held the title from 2010 to 2012, reopened in 2022 after a pandemic-induced closure and earned three Michelin stars in the 2024 guide.

Euro 2024 set to drive footfall to pubs and bars, reveals CGA research

Published: 10 June, 2024

Recent findings from CGA by NIQ's latest BrandTrack survey indicate a significant interest in the upcoming Euro 2024 football tournament among British consumers, with nearly half (46%) planning to tune in. Among these viewers, two in five (40%) intend to watch matches in pubs and bars.

Two London restaurants named in 50 Best list

Published: 07 June, 2024

London eateries Kol and Ikoyi have been included in this year’s 50 Best Restaurants list – the global fine dining equivalent of the Oscars in the eyes of many. It is the second consecutive year that both restaurants have been featured on the list, making up two UK venues in total, and one fewer than last year.

On-trade: Greener drink choices

Published: 07 June, 2024

Clinton Cawood looks to the sustainably minded on-trade, where bars and restaurants are being ever more mindful in building their drinks offers.

Tom Brown’s Michelin-starred restaurant Cornerstone to close amidst wave of high-profile closures

Published: 05 June, 2024

Tom Brown, the chef behind the Michelin-starred restaurant Cornerstone, has announced that his establishment will be closing its doors. The news marks the end of an era for the Hackney-based restaurant, which had garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative seafood dishes and contemporary approach to British cuisine.

Migration policies must address hospitality sector

Published: 04 June, 2024

Ahead of the 4 July general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce the number of migrants each year under a new Conservative government.

Weather drives May grocery sales boost, offering opportunities for off-trade alcohol sector ahead of Euros and Olympics

Published: 31 May, 2024

Weather has overtaken inflation as the primary driver of UK grocery sales growth in May, according to new data from NIQ. Total till sales at UK supermarkets grew by 3.3% for the four weeks ending 18 May 2024. This growth was fueled by shifts between wet and warm weather, which pushed value growth at supermarkets to 5.1%, a two-month high excluding Easter.

Trivet launches Labombe, a new wine bar concept from Jonny Lake and Isa Bal

Published: 31 May, 2024

Trivet, the two Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant in London’s Bermondsey, has launched Labombe Wine Bar. This new concept sees its dedicated bar open on Monday evenings under a new guise, offering a by-the-glass wine selection curated by sommelier Isa Bal, plus a blackboard menu of bar bites from chef Jonny Lake.

Hospitality unites to drive innovation

Published: 28 May, 2024

The question of how to drive growth and invest in hospitality was the question at the heart of a recent session organised by the Hospitality Sector Council and its Innovation Working Group (IWG).

Soft drink sales surge amid declining alcohol consumption in the UK

Published: 24 May, 2024

Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the UK’s eating-out market reached a turnover of £97.3bn in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. This represents a 6% increase compared to 2022. However, Britvic's Soft Drinks Review 2024 highlights a shift in consumer preferences, with fast food outlets benefitting from consumers trading down, while casual dining and pubs face more significant challenges.