On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sommelier Wine Awards entry deadline extended

Published: 23 January, 2024

Due to demand, the entry deadline for the Sommelier Wine Awards 2024 has been extended to 5pm UK time on 29 January.

Friday read: Maximum impact – the cancelled train strikes impacting bookings by 50%

Published: 19 January, 2024

The ongoing threat of strikes is causing unmitigated damage to the UK hospitality industry, with business telling Harpers they can impact trade by 50% or more, even if they don’t go ahead.

Managed groups enjoy YOY December growth

Published: 18 January, 2024

Britain’s top hospitality groups generated year-on-year sales growth of 8.8% in December, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

D&M achieves record Christmas sales

Published: 17 January, 2024

Drake and Morgan, operator of 17 premium bars and restaurants in London and Manchester, has announced record festive trading with like-for-like sales up 31.7% against the same period in 2022 (4 weeks to 31 December 2023).

Berkmann to train 20,000 hospitality professionals

Published: 16 January, 2024

Leading UK wine distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars has re-launched Veraison, a training programme designed to futureproof wine culture in the on-trade hospitality sector.

January tube strikes will cost hospitality businesses £50m

Published: 05 January, 2024

The London Underground will be subject to strike action on separate days between 5-12 January the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed in yet another blow to the hospitality industry.

Action on growth and jobs critical in 2024

Published: 02 January, 2024

In a New Year message, UKHospitality (UKH) has outlined its priorities for the year ahead, with “respite from endless price rises” among those at the top of the pile.

Scottish hospitality businesses denied rates relief

Published: 20 December, 2023

Following months of campaigning, leading hospitality bodies are ‘extremely disappointed’ with yesterday’s Budget announcement in Scotland.

New drink spiking measures introduced by government

Published: 19 December, 2023

Drink spiking is set to be targeted by police and door staff in a raft of new measures unveiled by the home secretary James Cleverly as the festive party-going season gets into full swing.

Survey reveals 44% of Brits choosing not to dine out this festive season

Published: 18 December, 2023

A new study from Forbes Advisor, the price comparison and financial guidance platform, has found that two in five Brits (44%) are choosing not to dine out this festive period (1 December - 2 January), the same figure it was 12 months ago when the survey was last conducted.

Scottish hospitality businesses ‘hang in the balance’ without government support

Published: 18 December, 2023

New analysis has revealed that thousands of Scottish hospitality businesses will be left unsupported if a rates relief isn’t included in the Scottish Budget tomorrow (19 December).

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Graham Hall, Drake & Morgan

Published: 18 December, 2023

Following another eventful year for the drinks trade, Graham Hall, director at Drake & Morgan reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus the hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

UK bars roll out drink spiking test kits

Published: 15 December, 2023

With the festive season in full swing, police and businesses have joined forces to crack down on drink spiking across the UK.

Welsh hospitality calls for business rates relief

Published: 14 December, 2023

UKHospitality Wales has called on the Welsh government to boost beleaguered pubs, hotels and restaurants in Wales and provide vital business rates relief in next week’s Budget.

Hospitality sales up 4% YOY in November

Published: 13 December, 2023

Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved year-on-year (YOY) sales growth of 4% in November, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker has revealed.

On-trade: All I want for Christmas…

Published: 11 December, 2023

With the festive period upon us, Chris Losh asks how restaurants might fashion a silk purse out of a pig of a trading climate.

Survey estimates £7.4bn will be spent on Christmas partying

Published: 08 December, 2023

A survey of 2,000 UK adults by tonics and mixer brand, Double Dutch, has estimated £7.4bn will be spent in UK hospitality during the festive period – a significant threefold increase compared to the previous year.

Record Christmas bookings for Drake & Morgan

Published: 07 December, 2023

Drake & Morgan, the London-based bar and restaurant group backed by Bowmark Capital has announced record bookings for Christmas 2023, sounding a note of optimism in an otherwise challenging environment.

Hospitality visas ineligibility skyrockets under new immigration laws

Published: 05 December, 2023

The UK government has announced it will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50%, from £26,200 to £38,700, in a move that could 'further shrink' the talent pool for UK hospitality.

Scotland calls out government for pubs closing at twice the rate of England

Published: 05 December, 2023

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) have issued a joint appeal to support their sector after it emerged that English businesses will receive a 75% reduction in rates bills for the financial year 2024-25.