Harpers indies survey reveals widespread price rises

Harpers’ latest survey canvassed the UK’s independent retailers to ask which cost pressures are affecting them most and to what extent. Now, the results are in – and we can the report that price rises have become a necessary evil for the majority of businesses.

Jerry Lockspeiser: It’s time the Bank of England joined us in the real world

The Bank of England’s decision to increase the base rate to 5% is a stab in the eye to under pressure businesses and struggling consumers. It would be hard enough to swallow if it were the right medicine for the illness. When it is based on a misdiagnosis it is unacceptable.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Confused by the economy?

First Brexit, then Covid, and now a major war in Europe. The economic landscape has been knocked from side to side, then up and down, and is now lurching in the most unpredictable fashion. Managing business strategy in these circumstances is extremely tough. If dealing with known unknowns is hard, facing unknown unknowns is extraordinarily challenging.

Late-night sector loses 86,000 jobs due to pandemic

The UK’s night-time cultural economy (NTCE) sector has been ravaged by the pandemic, with around 86,000 jobs lost in the sector since the 2019 high, a new report has found.

Hospitality sector remains in ‘fragile state’

Following the UK government's unveiling of its strategy for managing Covid-19 during the autumn and winter months, UK Hospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has issued a stark warning about the importance of allowing businesses to remain open.

Wine: A circular sensation?

Having hosted the ‘Can wine be part of the circular economy?’ debate at the London Wine Fair, Jamie Goode reports back on the sustainability issues in wine packaging.

Hospitality to help ‘reignite’ UK economy

Hospitality can play a critical role in rebooting the UK economy if it receives the necessary levels of support from government.

Long Read: Night-time economy is being left behind, say operators

The whole of the on-trade has been gravely impacted by the closures associated with Covid. However, the night-time economy, which looks set to fully reopen in July – two months after other indoor hospitality venues – continues to suffer the worst of the impact, with operators calling for more clarity on their future.

Cuts and extensions vital for future of hospitality

Extending the VAT cut and the business rates holiday are top priorities for the hospitality sector if businesses are to survive beyond the winter, according to new research by CGA for UK Hospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping. 

On-trade visits to drop sharply following new restrictions

Consumers will significantly reduce their visits to pubs, bars and restaurants in the light of the new government restrictions introduced last Thursday, according to new CGA research. 

Sunak reveals new Job Support Scheme and confirms VAT cuts

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed the details of the government’s Winter Economy Plan, including a new Job Support Scheme that will replace furlough when it closes on 31 October, and an extension of the VAT break for hospitality until 31 March 2021. 

Second wave lockdown spreads from Manchester to Aberdeen

Aberdeen has become the latest city to suffer from a second spike in coronavirus cases, leading pubs and bars to close.

Pressure mounts on PM to axe the 2 metre rule

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing increased pressure to axe the 2 metre social distancing rule to help re-open the on-trade and save jobs.

Jerry Lockspeiser: When the only certainty is uncertainty

As I sat down to write this piece my phone rang. It was Nick, a winemaker and one of my oldest friends. We have been close since the early 1990s when he gambled his career on joining my incipient wine business. Its subsequent success was in no small part down to him.

#Fair4Hospitality campaign calls on government to support sustainable reopening

UK Hospitality has launched a new campaign outlining best practice guidelines for the hospitality sector ahead of a gradual reopening from 4 July.

Living with lockdown – Enotria & Coe

Troy Christensen, CEO at Enotria & Coe, talks frankly with Andrew Catchpole about the impact of the current crisis on on-trade suppliers and the daunting challenges ahead for the hospitality sector.

Retail alcohol sales surge 31%

Alcohol sales in UK retailers surged 31.4% in volume terms in March, well ahead of overall supermarket sales which rose 10.3% during the month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Looking ahead: Richard Cochrane, Félix Solís UK

LWF’s Ross Carter: The exit interview

Three days of the London Wine Fair (LWF) is quickly drifting into a blur of meetings, conversations, debates and of course, tastings of some truly fabulous wines.