Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Lebanon: Fuel for thought

Published: 15 September, 2021

Lebanon’s latest winemaking challenge is a fuel crisis that has left wineries fighting for power, as Andrew Catchpole reports

Hospitality sector remains in ‘fragile state’

Published: 15 September, 2021

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.

UKH: ‘Mandatory vaccine passports unworkable’

Published: 06 September, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has said a mandatory Covid vaccine passports scheme for certain venues and events would be unworkable, cause conflict between staff and customers and would force business to deal with “complex equality rules”.

Hospitality overpays business rates by £2.4bn per year

Published: 25 August, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) and the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) have called on government to introduce business rates reform after estimating that the sector overpays by £2.4bn each year.

Unsustainable future

Published: 16 August, 2021

Following the successful lobbying of government to ditch the much-derided and unnecessary VI-1 forms for wine imports, trade voices are gearing up for another battle, this time concerning organic wines.

Scottish trade hails reopening but raises concerns for the future

Published: 04 August, 2021

The hospitality sector has welcomed news that Scotland will be easing Covid-19 restrictions from next week but has called for more clarity on the details.

Industry welcomes NHS Covid-19 app changes to ease ‘pingdemic’

Published: 03 August, 2021

Trade associations have welcomed news that the Government is to update the NHS Covid-19 app to reduce the numbers of people being forced to self-isolate.

Nicholls appointed hospitality disability ambassador

Published: 28 July, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been appointed as the hospitality sector’s first disability ambassador to date as part of the government’s new National Disability Strategy.

Govt considers 25% tariff on US wine imports

Published: 28 July, 2021

Trade Secretary Liz Truss is considering introducing a 25% tariff on US wine imports as part of an ongoing trade conflict caused by Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on US steel imports in 2018.

Freedom Day sees long-awaited return of late-night economy

Published: 19 July, 2021

The UK is celebrating the final end of the restrictions on hospitality today (July 19), with just under 12,000 venues finally able to open their doors after being shuttered since the first quarter of 2020.

Business leaders optimistic about next 12 months

Published: 15 July, 2021

A majority of business leaders now feel optimistic about market prospects for the next 12 months, while consumers are increasingly confident about going out, according the latest Future Shock report from CGA and UK Hospitality (UKH).

Industry welcomes lifting of social distancing measures

Published: 13 July, 2021

The industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s confirmation that social distancing measures will be lifted next week, a move that UK Hospitality (UKH) said would bring “huge relief” for the hospitality sector.

Self-isolation rules discriminate against young workers

Published: 07 July, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that delays to the end of self-isolation rules will put additional pressures on a hospitality industry which is being crippled by staff shortages, as the government confirmed that rules around isolating at home for those who aren’t double-jabbed will continue until next month.

Industry welcomes plans to lift restrictions but warns long road ahead

Published: 06 July, 2021

The hospitality industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on the lifting of restrictions on 19 July as a “major milestone”, but warned of a "long road ahead".

Australia increases consumer protection for wine brands

Published: 01 July, 2021

Australia has launched what it claims to be the world’s first system to provide product assurance for all of its branded wine exports.

TaxPayers’ Alliance backs tax cuts for wine producers

Published: 24 June, 2021

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has added its voice of support for the English wine industry calling for an end to the “unfair tax system that is crippling the industry”.

Scottish trade associations warn of further hardship

Published: 23 June, 2021

Scottish trade associations have expressed disappointment and concern on the delay in easing restrictions, which they claim could cause more business failures and hardship for the sector.

Calorie labelling timing 'counterproductive and damaging’

Published: 22 June, 2021

UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to delay plans for mandatory calorie labelling on menus for six months, stating the additional costs will threaten to derail the hospitality sector recovery from the pandemic.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

Published: 17 June, 2021

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.