Back to the bar: the reality of reopening

Lisa Riley catches up with a trio of bar professionals after the reopening of the on-trade to get a feel for the ‘new world’ to which they have returned. 

Enotria & Coe bolstered by £6m investment

Leading on-trade supplier Enotria & Coe has received a major new investment.

Spirits: Premium’s in the house

Premium spirits have done a roaring trade under lockdown, as consumers with no place to go attempt to recreate some on-trade magic, writes Nigel Huddleston

Diageo GB’s full year results reveal impact of on-trade closure

Diageo’s full year results reveal a 47% fall in operating profits globally as a result of the pandemic, with net sales of spirits down 8% globally, and a 4% dip in the UK.

Alcohol sales outperform soft drinks on first weekend back

Sales of alcohol in managed pubs and bars outstripped non-alcoholic drinks on the 4 July weekend, it has been revealed, with beer becoming the celebratory lockdown-breaker of choice among punters.

58 Gin claims UK first with gin-based hard seltzer

London-based artisan spirits distillery 58 Gin has launched what it claims to be the first gin-based hard seltzer in the UK.

Berkmann’s spirits arm adds CBD drinks

Spirit Cartel, the spirits arm of Berkmann Wine Cellars, has added CBD drinks brand Gibson’s Goodology to its premium spirits portfolio. 

AI proving ‘most exciting catalyser’ of wine innovation

The advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software is by far the most exciting catalyser of innovation in the wine industry, according to speakers at an Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) webinar held yesterday (17 June).

‘Lipstick effect’ driving boom in CBD and cannabis-infused drinks

‘Save summer six’ ministers press for 22 June on-trade reopening

Boris Johnson is understood to be close to agreement with a group of senior ministers to look at reopening the hospitality sector on 22 June.

Online BWS sales double during May

Online sales of beers, wines and spirits boomed during May, as the UK’s second month under lockdown drove a record numbers of thirsty consumers to embrace ecommerce.

Drinks Trust wellness services now live

The new range of mental health support services for members of the trade from the Drinks Trust have now been launched.

Friday Read: What’s going to drive us to drink after the pandemic?

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, looks at the impact that the lockdown will have on our future drinks choices

How low can we all go?

As lockdown continues and consumers settle into new ways of life, will the nolo category get more of a look in? Lisa Riley reports

Champagne Academy launches emergency financial fund for The Drinks Trust

The Champagne Academy has announced the launch of a range of fundraising initiatives to help support The Drinks Trust and its beneficiaries through these turbulent times.

Alcohol to not rebound globally until 2024

It will take five years for the global alcohol category to get back to pre-Covid health, the IWSR has predicted, with double digit declines expected to the hit the category this year.

On-trade operators should plan ‘relaunch', not ‘reopening’, ahead of 4 July

On-trade operators should “step away from emotion”, challenging themselves to think back to when they started their businesses and consider it a relaunch, not a reopening, when they once again open their doors.

US on-trade reopening gives near-future glimpse of path ahead for UK

Reduced food and drink ranges, continued off-trade sales, ongoing food take-out, plus the need for support from suppliers to ‘optimise drinks assortments’ are among the main takeaways from a recent Nielsen CGA survey of the US restaurant and bar sectors.

The Drinks Trust wellness services

The Drinks Trust has launched a number of new services focusing on improving the mental health of the industry and supporting them through what has been a troubling time for many.

Change of pace: How Covid/climate pressures are accelerating innovation of packaging and design

With drinks fast evolving to meet consumer trends, design and packaging has an ever more important role in communicating change, writes Andrew Catchpole