On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

No rates relief for Scottish hospitality

Published: 28 February, 2024

The Scottish Budget for 2024-25 was passed unchanged at Holyrood yesterday (27 February), with hospitality businesses north of the border hanging in the balance.

Q4 restaurant closures highest-ever

Published: 28 February, 2024

Restaurant closures surged to the highest-ever quarterly figure in Q4 2023, according to accountancy firm Price Bailey.

Liberty Report: premium on-trade wine sales still below pre-Covid levels

Published: 23 February, 2024

Wholesaler and importer Liberty Wines has released its premium on-trade report covering the two years following the final Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2021.

Quarter of hospitality businesses run out of cash reserves

Published: 19 February, 2024

A joint survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster has revealed the cost pressures facing venues compared to 2023.

Hospitality sales flat in January as consumer spending squeezed

Published: 15 February, 2024

Britain’s leading hospitality groups generated like-for-like sales growth of just 0.1% in January according to CGA.

Blumenthal calls for urgency to tackle fraudsters

Published: 14 February, 2024

Restaurateur and chef Heston Blumenthal OBE has called for greater urgency in tackling fraud after more than 750 fake firms using restaurant names have been set up in the past six weeks.

Premium chains lead restaurant market growth

Published: 14 February, 2024

According to Lumina Intelligence, the UK restaurant market reached a value of £18.6bn in 2023, spearheaded by premium branded establishments and menu price inflation.

Analysis: Hospitality seeks aid to halt closures

Published: 14 February, 2024

As the on-trade is hit by a cost-of-doing-business crisis, many are facing a tough decision unless government intervenes. James Bayley reports.

Tipping legislation scrutinised in hospitality webinar

Published: 12 February, 2024

Complying with the new legislation on the allocation of tips in the hospitality sector was the hot topic in a live industry webinar held last week, organised by technology provider Access Hospitality.

UK’s biggest pub group Stonegate faces collapse with £2bn debt pile

Published: 11 April, 2024

The UK’s largest pub and bar operator, Stonegate Pub Company, has warned it may not continue as “a going concern” amid struggles to refinance a £2.2bn debt mountain.

Managed groups eye expansion despite swathe of hospitality closures

Published: 12 February, 2024

Gaucho and M-owner Rare Restaurants will open 30 new sites following its double-digit revenue growth in 2023.

Edinburgh trio launches international bar show

Published: 08 February, 2024

Edinburgh is getting its very own trade-focused bar show, with the event due to land in the Scottish capital for the first time in April.

The Drinks Trust launches industry survey

Published: 08 February, 2024

The Drinks Trust has launched its annual industry survey to better understand the needs of the hospitality workforce.

French champions recognised for UK service

Published: 07 February, 2024

Daniel Lambert Wines, Waitrose and The Wine Society were among some of the big winners at The French Champion Awards organised and hosted by Business France.

On-trade: Sporting chances

Published: 07 February, 2024

As a summer of major fixtures looms, quality on-trade outlets are increasingly embracing lucrative shared viewing experiences, reports James Bayley.

New UK and Ireland Michelin stars revealed

Published: 06 February, 2024

The Michelin Guide, founded by the tyre company of the same name, began life as a humble guidebook, helping French travellers navigate the country at the dawn of the 20th Century. Today, The Michelin Guide is better known as the custodian of the most significant accolade in global gastronomy – the coveted ‘three stars’.

Le Gavroche to auction its rare wines and artwork

Published: 05 February, 2024

Following its January closure after more than 50 years of service, Le Gavroche is to auction off its wine collection, valued up to £12,000 per bottle.

Hospitality sales up 6% in Q4

Published: 02 February, 2024

New data from Fourth has revealed hospitality revenue in Q4 2023 is up 6.1% year-on-year.

Parliament debate: 'Special treatment' need for hospitality over VAT

Published: 01 February, 2024

There has been resounding support for hospitality business in parliament this week as MPs reported that the sector is “screaming out that VAT is too high”.

6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023

Published: 30 January, 2024

New data released today (30 January) has revealed more than 6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023, bringing the total number of closures since the pandemic to nearly 23,000.