Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Top 25 Sommeliers 2023 open for nominations

Published: 20 April, 2023

Harpers' popular Top 25 Sommeliers is back, looking to seek out and celebrate the very best in the dynamic UK on-trade drinks world.

Empire Empire

Published: 13 March, 2023

16 All Saints Road, London W11 1HH

Rising consumer confidence is the blue sky we’re all looking for

Published: 08 March, 2023

Hospitality has had a rough three years. As the dust settles on Covid, we are still coming to terms with the impact of closures and restrictions which wreaked havoc on the nation’s ability to socialise, and this cut a vast swathe through industry profits. Ultimately, Covid-19 decimated sales and led to thousands of venue closures and job losses. But a new survey looking at consumer opinion offers a smidgeon of light at the end of the pandemic and cost of living tunnel.

Gaucho & M Restaurant scoop ‘Business of the Year’ award at City A.M.

Published: 03 March, 2023

Rare Restaurants, the boutique hospitality group consisting of modern Argentinian steak restaurants Gaucho and M Restaurants, has taken home the title of Business of the Year at the City A.M. Awards.

Bar 1790

Published: 15 February, 2023

19-23 St Swithins Lane, London EC4N 8AD

Jacuzzi

Published: 13 February, 2023

94 Kensington High St, London W8 4SJ

Viajante 87

Published: 09 February, 2023

Basement 87, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ

Scotland on-trade facing ‘tidal wave’ of challenges, says SLTA

Published: 31 January, 2023

Scotland’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels face an unprecedented cocktail of challenges, according to the most recent Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA) survey.

Chronic staff shortages accelerate unprecedented hospitality wage inflation

Published: 30 January, 2023

Average wages for hospitality workers have risen 53% over the past 10 years, according to a new study released by charted accountancy firm Hazlewoods.

UK's leading restaurants nudge back into the black

Published: 09 January, 2023

Research unveiled by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young shows that the UK's top 100 restaurants returned to profitability in 2022, after four years of consecutive losses.

Barbican Brasserie By Searcys

Published: 19 December, 2022

Barbican Brasserie By Searcys

Chalk

Published: 16 December, 2022

Chalk

Majestic freezes on-trade prices until April in bid to help hospitality sector

Published: 12 December, 2022

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, will freeze its on-trade prices until April 2023 to help UK pubs, bars and restaurants, it has been announced today.

Turnover up, but profits down, suggests CGA on-trade report

Published: 09 December, 2022

Footfall across the hospitality sector is up on 2019 levels in Britain’s key cities, although high inflation and rail strikes remain major concerns.

Restaurant owners forced to borrow 12% more than last year

Published: 05 December, 2022

The amount restaurant owners are borrowing to keep their own businesses afloat has increased 12% in the past year, from £377 million in 2020/21, to over £424 million in 2021/22, says Mazars, the audit, tax and advisory firm.

Consumer spending in pubs, restaurants and takeaways down since start of pandemic

Published: 02 December, 2022

The average amount consumers spend each month in restaurants, takeaways and pubs has fallen since the start of the pandemic, with restaurants the hardest hit, new research has found.

An independent survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Peckwater Brands, claims rising inflation and energy costs have reduced consumer spending, leaving hospitality businesses at risk.

Restaurants have seen the highest drop-off in consumer spending since the start of 2020, down 16% from £58.90 per person per month to £49.30. Spending in pubs fell 14.6% from £47.90 to £40.90, while spending on takeaways saw the lowest reduction, falling just 10% from £47.70 to £42.30.

While the cost-of-living crisis continues to loom large, the majority (63%) of UK adults surveyed said they still consider takeaways a treat they look forward to, with 34% intending to continually get them regularly (at least once per month) with 33% budgeting for this expense.

Wine Paris: Younger generations key to unlocking on-trade

Published: 17 November, 2022

Ahead of Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris in February 2023, organisers have partnered with Wine Intelligence to delve into the drinking habits of UK wine consumers.

A cheap and cheerful Christmas

Published: 17 October, 2022

It seems no matter where the cost increase comes from – whether it be energy bills, business rates or fuel increases – the consumer will always pay the ultimate price.

Armit rolls out big hitters and ‘future stars’ at London tasting

Published: 29 September, 2022

Italian specialist Armit Wines unveiled a raft of new wines at its London tasting this autumn, in addition to library vintages and big formats, while billing the ‘New Fine Wines of the Future’ among its new and existing agencies.

UK’s most popular wines unveiled

Published: 14 September, 2022

Much is written in Harpers about alternative styles and lesser-known grape varieties, and for good reason – discovering new and exciting wines is all part of the fun in this business.