Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chapel Down to place Curious Drinks into administration

Published: 09 February, 2021

Chapel Down is to dispose of its Curious Drinks business to a NewCo, established by private equity firm Risk Capital Partners (RCP).

Industry leaders lined up for Rebooting the On-Trade webinar

Published: 08 February, 2021

With restaurants, bars and hotels facing unprecedented challenges when the hospitality sector begins to re-open this spring/summer, Harpers and Trade Hospitality App have teamed up to bring together top operators for our forthcoming Building Back Better: Rebooting the On-Trade for 2021 webinar.

UKH Scotland reiterates calls for support as Sturgeon says no easing of restrictions

Published: 03 February, 2021

The hospitality industry in Scotland is again calling for financial support as First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon revealed that there would be no easing of restrictions due to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Four in five eager to get back to going out

Published: 01 February, 2021

Consumers are badly missing hospitality experiences, with four in five, or 80%, hoping to revisit the on-trade within a few weeks of reopening, according to the latest edition of CGA’s 2021 Hospitality Consumer Forecast, which explores attitudes to the on-trade while Britain remains under lockdown.

Pandemic cost hospitality £200m a day in 2020

Published: 28 January, 2021

Turnover for the hospitality sector dropped to less than half of 2019 levels in 2020, slipping by almost £72bn, which translates to nearly £200m a day, according to the latest edition of the UK Hospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker.

Take Out to Help Out e-book from Bums on Seats

Published: 25 January, 2021

Bums on Seats has launched a free e-book resource, Take Out to Help Out, giving advice for on-trade operators as to how best to develop and market an at home dining offer.

CGA: ‘Suppliers well placed to help operators capitalise on post-lockdown opportunities’

Published: 19 January, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered important changes in people’s attitudes to food and created a split between those seeking quality and value, but suppliers are well placed to help operators capitalise on post-lockdown sales opportunities, a new CGA survey has suggested.

UKH: ‘GDP figures highlight importance of hospitality’

Published: 18 January, 2021

GDP figures for November, released last Friday, have highlighted the impact of hospitality on the UK’s economy and made the case for the sector to be “at the heart of reopening plans”, UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

Up to 310,000 hospitality jobs at risk without 5% VAT extension

Published: 14 January, 2021

Up to 310,000 jobs across the hospitality and tourism sector are at risk without an extension of the reduced 5% VAT rate, a new survey has revealed.

Hospitality and foodservice revenues forecasted to drop £30bn in 2021

Published: 13 January, 2021

Revenues across the hospitality and foodservice industry have been forecasted to take a £30bn hit this year, with Covid restrictions likely to play out well into 2021.

Parliamentary hospitality debate shows cross-party sector support

Published: 12 January, 2021

The debate on whether to create a minister for hospitality in the UK government showed cross-party support for the struggling sector, with an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners.

CGA: ‘Staff engagement crucial over lockdown’

Published: 11 January, 2021

Businesses need to stay close to their teams during Britain’s lockdown to make sure staff are engaged and motivated when venues reopen, according to CGA’s latest Business Confidence Survey.

Vagabond appoints MD to allow Finch to go back to ‘what he does best’

Published: 07 January, 2021

Vagabond Wines has appointed Matthew Fleming, formerly of Be At One and Stonegate Pub Company, as its new MD.

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.

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: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

Published: 04 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 the year ahead.

Nicholls awarded OBE

Published: 04 January, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list for her services to the hospitality sector.

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.

Jascots snapped up by Freixenet Copestick

Published: 14 December, 2020

Freixenet Copestick has announce that it has purchased the assets and business of Jascots Wine Merchants from the administrators.

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.