Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Burnham grants pubs, clubs and music venues 20% rates cut

Published: 23 July, 2026

The government has announced that pubs, clubs and live music venues across England are set to receive a 20% business rates cut from April 2027.

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.

‘Thousands will miss out’ on Scottish 40% business rates relief

Published: 05 December, 2024

The Scottish government has announced that it will introduce 40% business rates relief for hospitality businesses in a move which looks to ease the burden on a struggling sector. However, not everyone will benefit.

Calling the Budget

Published: 28 October, 2024

Long-time spirits industry commentator and MD of Mangrove Global, Nick Gillett, speaks out ahead of the new Labour government’s Autumn Statement, arguing that ‘the best hospitality can hope for is to be left well alone’.

Pubs and hospitality warn of job cuts if rates relief ends

Published: 28 October, 2024

A survey of pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses has revealed that jobs and investment plans would be threatened if business rates relief expires in April, causing bills to quadruple.

A Plan B Christmas will put the industry under “severe pressure”

Published: 09 December, 2021

A re-tightening of restrictions is threatening to put a pin in Christmas celebrations, causing more gloom for the hospitality sector as the government rubber stamps plans to introduce vaccine passports for late-night venues.

Hospitality is in ‘peril’ and ‘fighting’ for survival

Published: 12 November, 2021

The hospitality sector is “an industry in peril” that is fighting for its life, the latest edition of the UKHospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker has said.