Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Horizons Q&A: Louise Gordon, Heckfield Place

Published: 07 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for a better year.

Takeaway alcohol banned in latest lockdown

Published: 05 January, 2021

Bars, pubs and restaurants have been banned from selling takeaway alcohol under England’s latest lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson last night.

BWS supermarket sales surge 25%

Published: 05 January, 2021

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) surged 25% to £4.9m in the 12 weeks to 27 December – an increase of £972m compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar data released today.

Scotland to enter national lockdown

Published: 04 January, 2021

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that restrictions similar to the lockdown of March last year will be implemented in Scotland from midnight tonight (4 January), meaning bars, restaurants and pubs across the country will be forced to close.

New Horizons Q&A: Nik Darlington, Graft Wine Company

Published: 15 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses to discover their predictions for the new year.

UK 2020 Timeline

Published: 15 December, 2020

From the first indications that a novel coronavirus brewing in the east had reared its ugly head in the west, 2020 fast played out as the year when Covid-19 turned the trade upside down. On-trade restrictions and closures, pivoting of businesses, innovation in every shape and form, plus the super-charging of ecommerce and an amazing collective response by individuals, companies and trade bodies alike all became the ‘new norm’. As a year most of us wish to see the back of stumbles to a close, the Harpers team rounds up some of the most significant events of 2020.

Hancock confirms London to enter Tier 3

Published: 14 December, 2020

Matt Hancock has confirmed that London will move into Tier 3 Covid restrictions from Wednesday, alongside parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

Second highest result ever for Hospices de Beaune auction

Published: 14 December, 2020

The 160th Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction, held one month later than expected due to Covid concerns, reached its second-best result ever of €13,4m (£12,2m), excluding the buyer’s premium.

Trade goes digital with new app

Published: 14 December, 2020

Hospitality members’ club Trade has launched a free app for hospitality workers providing access to the community and perks beyond the walls of the Soho club, which closed its doors in March 2020.

Half measures for on-trade groups post lockdown

Published: 14 December, 2020

Around half of Britain’s managed pubs, restaurants and bars were open and trading last week as lockdown ended and the new tier levels came into force in England, but sales were significantly down even in those sites able to open.

New Horizons Q&A: Ben McKellar, Gingerman Restaurants Group

Published: 09 December, 2020

Jascots slides into administration

Published: 02 December, 2020

On-trade supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has gone into administration, Harpers has learned.

Hospitality to stage second demonstration

Published: 02 December, 2020

Members of the hospitality industry will converge on Parliament Square for a second time this Monday (7 December) to urge the government to revise its policies relating to hospitality venues, both in terms of restrictions and financial support.

UKH calls for govt to earmark ‘Tesco hand back’ for hospitality

Published: 02 December, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called for the establishment of a Hospitality and Tourism Recovery Fund to support hospitality businesses that have not received any grant support and are at risk of closure.

Westminster City Council extends alfresco scheme for six months

Published: 02 December, 2020

Westminster City Council has announced it has extended its alfresco dining scheme in central London, which falls under Tier 2 of the new restrictions, for another six months starting today.

Research highlights supply chain plight

Published: 01 December, 2020

Covid has caused supply chain difficulties for more than nine in 10 hospitality businesses since they reopened in July, according to new CGA and Prestige Purchasing research released today.

Ecommerce alcohol sales soar

Published: 30 November, 2020

Sales of alcohol through ecommerce are set to increase by 42% this year to reach US$24bn across 10 core markets, according to new research from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

At least 50k sites to be shut or unviable under new tiers

Published: 30 November, 2020

More than 50,000 of England’s licensed premises will be unable to trade under the government’s tough new tiered restrictions coming into place this week, according to research for the latest edition of the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

Cuts and extensions vital for future of hospitality

Published: 20 November, 2020

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.

Three quarters of hospitality businesses could close in 2021

Published: 19 November, 2020

Trade bodies have called for an adaptation of Tier restrictions as they warn almost three quarters of hospitality businesses could close without further government support.