Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Government releases details of temporary alcohol off-sales extension

Published: 22 July, 2020

The government has released details of its temporary alcohol off-sales permissions.

MPs launch probe into the impact of wine certification

Published: 13 July, 2020

A group of MPs is today launching an inquiry into the impact of wine certification set to be brought into force at the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021.

“Kickstart scheme” for young people to lift up hospitality sector

Published: 08 July, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to subsidise work placements for young people in a move that is believed to be aimed at stimulating the hospitality and tourism industries while tackling unemployment post-Covid.

Government to pay £1,000 “bonus" for every employee brought back from furlough

Published: 08 July, 2020

The government has announced a Job Retention Bonus to support furloughed employees and businesses back into work.

On-trade ‘test and trace’ guidance published

Published: 03 July, 2020

As pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés re-boot from 4 July, the new NHS Test and Trace guidance will mean that venues should maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and share these with the health service if requested.

Self-imposed regulations risk UK’s standing as fine wine trading hub

Published: 01 July, 2020

The UK's status as a global trading hub for fine wine will face major risks from the additional burdens of government-imposed regulations when the UK ends its Brexit transition period at the close of the year.

UK Hospitality welcomes move to push outdoor dining

Published: 26 June, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has said moves by the government to push outdoor dining will provide a “valuable boost” to hospitality looking to bounce back.

Government publishes re-opening guide

Published: 24 June, 2020

The government has this morning published the re-opening guide for the hospitality industry.

PM confirms on-trade reopening as 4 July and reduces ‘distancing’ to 1 metre

Published: 23 June, 2020

PM Boris Johnson has confirmed the reopening date for the hospitality sector as 4 July, while also reducing the current social distancing rule from 2 metres to 1 metre.

On-trade groups take initiative on reopening

Published: 22 June, 2020

Many UK pub, restaurant and café operators have set a 4 July reopening in motion despite there still being no announcement from government confirming either the date or possible easing of the 2 metre rule.

UK Hospitality urges government to confirm reopening date

Published: 16 June, 2020

UK Hospitality has urged the government to confirm a reopening date for hospitality to enable the on-trade to prepare for it properly.

Raab says ‘review’ to be completed within “coming weeks”

Published: 15 June, 2020

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said the government expects the next Covid-19 review, including if the 2 metre social distancing rule will be reduced, to be completed “within the coming weeks”.

MPs publish government recommendations to help re-start businesses

Published: 11 June, 2020

A cross-party group of MPs has delivered a number of recommendations outlining how governments across the UK can best support businesses in restarting and rebuilding after the Covid-19 crisis in a new report.

Pressure mounts on PM to axe the 2 metre rule

Published: 11 June, 2020

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.

UK Hospitality urges government to provide financial support to overcome rent stand-off

Published: 10 June, 2020

UK Hospitality has urged the government to provide fiscal support to overcome the stand-off between landlords and tenants over unpaid rent.

Sharma confirms on-trade to stay shuttered until 4 July

Published: 09 June, 2020

Business secretary Alok Sharma has confirmed that the on-trade is to remain closed until 4 July.

Industry gives cautious welcome to furlough scheme changes

Published: 01 June, 2020

The UK drinks trade has welcomed the extension of the government’s furlough scheme for UK workers during the corovirus crisis – but with concerns for the future.

Jerry Lockspeiser: When the only certainty is uncertainty

Published: 28 May, 2020

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.

Wine tariffs to remain after Brexit transition period ends

Published: 19 May, 2020

Tariffs will remain in place on wines imported into the UK after the current Brexit transition period ends.

Furlough scheme extended to October

Published: 12 May, 2020

The government has announced it is extending the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) for an additional four months, while also adding in some provision to bring furloughed employees back to work on a part time basis.