On-trade reopening reduces supermarket BWS growth to 1%

Supermarket sales of beers, wine and spirits (BWS) slowed significantly in the past four weeks as grocers felt the knock-on effect of the return of hospitality.

Brewers welcome “scrapped” Covid passports

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has responded to growing speculation that Covid “passports for the pub” have been shelved, calling pubs and taprooms across the country “safe” for reopening without additional red tape.

SLTA: ‘Opening on 26 April unviable for most’

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA has reiterated its disappointment that Scotland’s bars, restaurants and cafés will still not be able to serve alcohol indoors until the licensed hospitality industry begins to reopens more freely next month.

Covid passports hang over trade

Covid passports could still be introduced at a later date for hospitality venues, a new government report has revealed, despite the Prime Minister ruling out their introduction for outdoor reopening over the next six weeks. 

UKH: ‘Business rates relief cap could strangle sector recovery’

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that the business rates relief cap will jeopardise the future of thousands of hospitality venues, which will face full rates bills within weeks following the unrestricted opening of the sector planned for June.

Q&A: Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group

Charlie Gilkes is founder and director of Inception Group, the experiential hospitality group behind My Foggs, Barts, Cahoots, Bunga Bunga & Maggie’s. Hugh Jones speaks to Gilkes about recovery, Covid enforced innovation, and the importance of customer experience as the trade re-opens.

Walker & Wodehouse unveils virtual tastings

Bibendum’s Walker & Wodehouse has unveiled a series of virtual tastings for customers.

Covid and Phylloxera – lessons for the wine trade

Sam Hellyer, head of wine and spirits at Chiswick Auctions, counts 10 years at Oddbins as part of a varied résumé where he headed up the Fine Wine branch in Oxford.

Pubs to reap rewards of outside trading over bars and restaurants

Fewer than half of England’s pubs, bars and restaurants will have any space to operate outside when the lockdown is relaxed—but pubs could be set to have a head start with 72% having outside space, CGA research has revealed. 

New UMVGB president calls for post-Covid preparation

Albéric Bichot, who has been elected president of the Union des Maisons de Vins de Grande Bourgogne (UMVGB) has called for the industry to prepare for the Post-Covid world. 

Excise duties hike latest blow to SA wine industry

The South African government has announced it will increase the excise duties on alcohol by 8%.

UKH urges sector to join Budget campaign

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called on the industry to make its voice heard to secure further VAT cut and business rates holiday. 

Helping hospitality survive

If reopening doesn’t come soon, many on-trade operators face ruin unless new support measures come into play. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Jeroboams appoints Lucie Parker as trade director

Jeroboams Trade, the wholesale business within the independent Jeroboams Group, has appointed Lucie Parker to the role of trade director. 

Beale: ‘Punishingly high duty rates stifling home grown wine and spirit businesses’

The WSTA has renewed its calls on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty to allow UK businesses to “thrive and compete on a global stage”. 

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

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.

Wine trends to watch in 2021

Predicting wine trends for the unpredictable year ahead is certainly a challenge as the trade attempts to plan and prepare for ever-changing times.

WSTA and SMEs call on Chancellor for further support in budget

Many of the UK’s best known wine and spirit SMEs have written a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to cut duty while extended the hospitality’s VAT cut to provide further relief for those struggling with the pandemic.

Nicholls marks one year Covid ‘anniversary’ – “We didn’t know it would be a tsunami”

UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls has renewed calls for additional government support a year on from her first strategy meetings with ministers at the beginning of the pandemic.

Q&A: Karim Johnny Saadé, Bargylus and Château Marsyas