New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) can reveal that the number of payrolled employees decreased by 109,000 in May compared to the previous month. The employment drop comes after April’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) policy changes.
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African distilling is by no means a new phenomenon, but spirits from the continent are continuing to gain traction in the UK market. At the Signature Serve theatre at this year’s London Wine Fair, a panel hosted by Carly Foxwell of Fox in the Well consultancy, alongside three founders of African spirits brands, demonstrated the heady potential of spirits from the continent. Damola Timeyin of Spearhead Spirits, Eileen Twum of Asoro and Rohan Shah of Imizi rum highlighted the exciting proposition of their brands for the British market.
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London’s Marylebone is already spoilt for top restaurants, with new Middle Eastern venue Noreen adding to this culinary grandeur. Diners at the new eatery can expect recipes taking inspiration from across the region. The menu, steered by ex-Dorchester chef Mehdi Hani, will includes mezzes to share, complimented by Tannour-oven fired flatbreads as well as selections from the Minqala grill for carnivorous diners. The drinks menu will include cocktails from Mr Lyan Studio, taking inspiration from the Middle Eastern ingredients including the distilled spirit arak, as well as hibiscus, za’atar and tahini. The wine list will spotlight a number of emerging regions, including Lebanon and Turkey.
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Be Inclusive Hospitality has announced that nominations for its BIH Spotlight Awards are now open.
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Nestled beneath Covent Garden Market, Courtyard Wine Cellars will bring an expansive wine offering to the central London tourist hotspot. The venue, which opened in May, touts itself as the capital’s largest wine bar, offering everything from reasonably priced Provence rosé by the glass to bottles of claret approaching the grand mark. The 1,000-strong wine list will cater to the diverse array of shoppers in the market, as will the gastronomic options, with a hearty lunch menu complementing more relaxed, pizza-oriented evening fare.
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After 25 years in the wine and hospitality trade across the UK and Australia, I’ve come to learn this: the wine list should never be an afterthought. A wine list isn’t just about what’s in the glass – it’s a reflection of how well your whole business is thinking.
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Restaurateur Jeremy King has been announced as the headliner for the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) 2025 Industry Summit.
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A third of hospitality businesses are operating at a loss and are at risk of failure, according to a survey carried out by UK Hospitality, The British Institute of Innkeeping, the British Beer & Pub Association and Hospitality Ulster.
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If it wasn’t for the Aviation – love it or hate it – Créme de Violette may not exist. For much of this century-old classic cocktail’s existence, bartenders couldn’t get their hands on the violet-flavoured liqueur that gave the drink its distinctive colour and floral notes, and it was frequently omitted. But in the early 2000s, the craft cocktail movement brought enough demand for this near-forgotten ingredient that it reappeared; today there are more than a few to choose from. And the Aviation continues to be found on cocktail lists around the world in its original form.
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In a letter sent to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, a coalition of leading pub, hospitality and brewing bodies has laid out its concerns regarding the cost and impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy.
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As his family’s restaurant group celebrates its 50th year, Harpers catches up with Cornish wine supremo Charlie Stein, director of wine at Rick Stein Group.
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Ahead of our 30 Under 30 2025 list, which will be announced in May at the London Wine Fair and published in the June issue of Harpers, we caught up with some of last year’s top winners to gets their views on hospitality.
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The first House of Lords committee debate took place this week on the Employment Rights Bill after its successful passage through the House of Commons.
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Fresh data from the Insolvency Service shows an 11% drop in company insolvencies among businesses in the hospitality sector. The fall signals a slight improvement, however the number still remains historically higher than pre-pandemic levels.
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Producer of English and Provençal wines MDCV UK has announced a fresh on-trade distribution partnership with wholesaler LWC. The deal will see LWC distribute two of MDCV’s English wine brands: Silverhand Estate and Harlot.
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Opening in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery is the latest eponymous offering from Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli, in partnership with catering supremo Searcy’s. The menu from chef Giorgio Locatelli will draw inspiration from the hallowed paintings that call the National Gallery home. So if Caravaggio-inspired Italian food, from braised veal ravioli to Tiramisu, piques your interested, then a trip to the new 80-seater restaurant opening on 10 May could be in order. The opening of the venue coincides with the reopening of the Sainsbury Wing after a two-and-a-half year transformation, undertaken to mark the bicentenary of the famous gallery. The wine list, devised by Martin Didden, head of Champagne and wine for Searcy’s and wine director Virgilio Gennaro, will include vintages from Broglia, the oldest vineyard in Gavi as well as Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta.
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Championing the diversity of Spanish cuisine is the latest restaurant from Michelin-star awarded chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho, in partnership with JKS Restaurants. The Shoreditch venue will offer recipes that take inspiration from across Iberia, from Galician seafood in the north west to the tabancos of Cádiz and Jerez in the south. Legado, meaning ‘legacy’ in Spanish, is a nod to not only Spain’s gastronomic heritage but Mohacho’s personal journey as a chef. Having arrived in London in 1998 at the age of 19, she worked her way up in the industry, eventually opening her Michelin star-winning Sabor in 2018. The new eatery, expected to open this summer, will reflect both the chef’s food and drink memories and her continual culinary discoveries.
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Majestic has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of wine and spirit distributor Enotria&Coe as part of its drive to become the pre-eminent supplier of wines and spirits across the UK.
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As Bibendum’s new sales director, Andrew Ingham is determined to tear up the old-school rulebook. Andrew Catchpole finds out how.
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Authentic pasta made from traditional recipes used in Italian households is the idea behind Officina 00 Covent Garden – the newest collaboration between best friends and business partners Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto. The pair already have several Officinas dotted around Fitzrovia and Old Street, all of which bring a polished edge to classic Italian fare, while also giving the impression of serving up dishes straight from grandma’s table (hearty and moreish being the key words). The cocktail list is just as good as the food menu, incorporating the likes of Italian Margarita, Pink Americano and 00 Spritz, all brought together by a selection of slick Italian vinos.
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