Extension to rent moratorium considered as momentum for UK re-opening builds

Ministers are reportedly drawing up plans to extend the rent moratorium for commercial properties until past the March end date, further curbing landlords’ ability to evict businesses over unpaid rent.

‘Tariff free’ trade continues to muddy the Brexit waters

The scrapping of lab tests for EU wine heading to the UK will save the wine industry tens of millions of pounds a year. However, the new trade deal between the EU and UK has thrown up new questions around how much cross border trade in 2021 is likely to cost, with EU wine travelling via GB to Northern Ireland and other parts of the EU now entering a no man’s land where it temporarily belongs to neither region.

Soapbox: Talking of funny foreigners

Have you ever used the ‘F word’ during a meeting with your biggest client? I have. Several times and, to make it worse, several times during the same meeting. The client was Jon Woodriffe, now of Origin Wines, but then Sainsbury’s buyer for French wines.

Cautious optimism returns for hospitality’s businesses prospects

A new survey has revealed a rise in optimism among hospitality operators for the future of their business over the next 12 months, albeit from a very low threshhold – but representing a substantial increase from the third quarter of the year.

Long read: From hospitality to homelessness

With 30-40% of people made homeless this year estimated to be former hospitality workers, the situation has become dire for many. Hugh Jones, who also lost his job this year as a result of the pandemic, investigates the depth of the problem, and how the trade can help.

‘Huge confusion’ over what Brexit means for bulk

There is mounting concern over the lack of clarity around the introduction of VI-1 forms for bulk shippers, despite the end of the transition period being just weeks away.

Miles Beale: Trade deal will be within the week or not at all

Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) chief executive Miles Beale has said that the UK is likely to get ‘something or nothing’ in terms of a trade deal over the coming week, while insisting that a ‘deal is still better than no deal at all’.

Diageo launches ambitious ten-year sustainability plan

Global drinks giant Diageo has launched a new ten-year sustainability action plan featuring a range of goals involving environment issues, diversity and inclusion, and moderate drinking initiatives.

GBK follows Carluccio’s to Boparan following Covid squeeze

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), owner of Carluccio’s, has acquired burger brand Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), saving 35 trading sites national-wide.

Bibendum becomes official wine partner of London Restaurant Festival

Bibendum Wine has been unveiled as the official wine partner of this year’s London Restaurant Festival (LRF), which will be running an amended schedule of in-restaurant and at-home events when it returns this Thursday 1 October.

Portman Group labels Drinking in the Dark report “utter nonsense”

The Portman Group has issued a strong rebuttal to a new report from the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) which calls alcohol labelling in the UK “inadequate”.

Aviation Gin takes off with Diageo in $610m deal

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin brand has landed a mega-deal with drinks giant Diageo, which has been acquired via parent company Davos Brands.

On-trade versus schools debate rumbles on

Schools must “come before pubs and restaurants in future” England’s children’s commissioner has said, re-igniting a burgeoning stand-off between the education and hospitality sectors.

Casual Dining Group remerges from administration as The Big Table

Casual Dining Group (CDG), the failed restaurant group that owned the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, has been rescued by private equity firm, saving 4,000 jobs across the UK and over 150 outlets.

Border model could leave the UK between a rock and a hard Brexit

Three new wines from Offbeat

New Wiltshire-based sustainable winery Offbeat wines has released three wines, following the sell-out success of its first issue.

Majestic re-opens across the Channel

Majestic Calais, the French arm of Majestic Wine, has reopened its doors to customers at its superstore over The Channel following the easing of travel restrictions in and out of the UK.

Sturges steps down from Jeroboams

London wine merchant Jeroboams is to have a new chief executive, with encumbent Hugh Sturges leaving the role at the end of June.

‘Wine online’ searches up by over 1000%

‘Order wine online’ has become the newest buzz word for housebound UK consumers looking to get their fix during lockdown.

31 Days of German Riesling powers ahead

July is still the month for German Riesling in the UK, with the promotion once again heading back to British businesses.