Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Welsh First Minister aims to support hospitality

Published: 13 May, 2026

Rhun ap Iorwerth, the new First Minister of Wales, has “repeatedly outlined” his belief in hospitality, according to UK Hospitality (UKH) Cymru.

Trade bodies welcome Scottish rates relief

Published: 13 February, 2026

The Scottish Government has announced that it will be increasing business rates relief for hospitality and music venues from 15% to 40% for the next three years (subject to a £110,000 cap per business).

Hospitality industry reacts to Reeves' pub support package

Published: 28 January, 2026

The hospitality industry has reacted to yesterday’s announcement by the government that pubs and music venues would receive a rates relief package costing £80m next year alone (as Harpers reported).

Government announces £80m U-turn on pubs and music venues

Published: 27 January, 2026

The government has revealed a support package aimed at helping pubs and music venues in England, worth £80m.

Nearly 9,000 hospitality jobs lost since Budget

Published: 20 January, 2026

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025 compared to November 2025.

UK Hospitality Scotland calls for action on rates

Published: 15 December, 2025

Trade body UK Hospitality Scotland has revealed new analysis, suggesting that the Scottish hospitality sector is on course for a £69m business rates hit in 2026/2027 without action from the Scottish Government in its January Budget.

November Budget: UKH demands action as hospitality job losses mount

Published: 12 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to take action at the upcoming Budget to protect jobs and restore confidence in the hospitality sector.

Hospitality: Rates surcharge threatens high street closures

Published: 27 October, 2025

According to trade bodies UK Hospitality (UKH) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) 500 high street retail premises will be at risk of closure if the planned business rates surcharge goes ahead.

Hopes licensing review can cut red tape for hospitality

Published: 07 April, 2025

A new working group, which includes industry body UKHospitality (UKH), has been announced by the UK government to look into how to reduce barriers in the country’s licensing system.

UKH: Narrow focus on growth leads to poor social outcomes

Published: 24 March, 2025

Analysis from UKHospitality’s (UKH) new Social Productivity Index highlights that the most economically productive sectors deliver the least social value. By contrast, sectors such as hospitality, are most effective at delivering growth more evenly across the country, ensuring social and geographic accessibility.

‘Nonsensical’ EPR rules will cost millions, say hospitality businesses

Published: 20 March, 2025

Under the umbrella of UKHospitality (UKH), leading pub and hospitality businesses have written to Defra Secretary of State, Steve Reed, pushing back against a significant flaw in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

Mounting costs drive hospitality confidence to two-year low

Published: 12 March, 2025

Hospitality business confidence has hit a low not seen since October 2022, when inflation peaked at a 40-year high.

EPR headaches: the key concerns surrounding the policy

Published: 10 March, 2025

The Extended Producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme is yet another headwind in a now long line of challenges facing the UK drinks trade, with its implementation already well under way, but – some would say predictably – dogged by a lack of clarity and various unknowns.

Hospitality sector lobbies government ahead of Autumn Budget

Published: 21 October, 2024

Hospitality leaders have sent an open letter to the Chancellor, imploring Rachel Reeves to “fix business rates and prevent bills quadrupling for high streets across the country”.

Rate of hospitality closures slows

Published: 08 May, 2024

The latest data from CGA shows that closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024.

Visa changes threaten to price out overseas sommeliers

Published: 10 April, 2024

The new minimum salary threshold for hospitality workers has now come into force, meaning that overseas waiters and sommeliers have to earn at least £38,700 in order to qualify for a UK visa.

Largest ever increase to minimum wage takes effect

Published: 02 April, 2024

As of yesterday (1 April), employment costs have increased for hospitality businesses following a rise in the National Minimum Wage.

Action on growth and jobs critical in 2024

Published: 02 January, 2024

In a New Year message, UKHospitality (UKH) has outlined its priorities for the year ahead, with “respite from endless price rises” among those at the top of the pile.

Hospitality leaders hold on to optimism as inflation slows

Published: 20 September, 2023

Confidence is rising slightly among hospitality owners, new data suggest, despite inflation slowing at a ‘glacial’ pace and economic pressures in the offing, which could potentially leave the sector with a ‘billion-pound bill’.

UKH urges government to issue on-trade rescue package

Published: 31 August, 2022

UKHospitality (UKH)chief executive Kate Nicholls has written an urgent letter to the UK government, outlining the potential disaster facing thousands of businesses in light of the energy crisis.