Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Second wave lockdown spreads from Manchester to Aberdeen

Published: 05 August, 2020

Aberdeen has become the latest city to suffer from a second spike in coronavirus cases, leading pubs and bars to close.

Over three-quarters of hospitality businesses at risk of insolvency

Published: 04 August, 2020

More than three-quarters of hospitality businesses in the UK are at risk of insolvency within 12 months, according to a new survey by UK Hospitality.

On-trade groups continue to nudge up sales as more sites reopen

Published: 31 July, 2020

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups open across England and Scotland are seeing a steady improvement in sales as more sites reopen, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Brits almost halve alcohol intake during lockdown

Published: 29 July, 2020

Brits consumed 1.3 billion litres of alcohol during the UK’s lockdown period, almost half the 2 billion litres recorded during the same period last year, according to new data from Nielsen Scantrack and CGA.

Hospitality needs customers if it's to stop going hungry

Published: 28 July, 2020

The hospitality sector is beginning to reopen, but it needs many more customers if its future is to be secured. By Andrew Catchpole

Staff shifts still down 69% across the UK

Published: 24 July, 2020

The challenge facing the hospitality sector has been reiterated by new figures which show that shifts worked by employees are still down 68.9% across the UK.

On-trade trading at near 70% of pre-Covid norms

Published: 24 July, 2020

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups in England have reported improving sales in the second week after shut-down was lifted, boosted by the reopening of more sites, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

On-trade reports 40% drop in weekly sales

Published: 17 July, 2020

Sales across on-trade sites open in England in the first week after lockdown was lifted were down 39.8% compared to the same week last year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data released today.

Alcohol sales outperform soft drinks on first weekend back

Published: 13 July, 2020

Sales of alcohol in managed pubs and bars outstripped non-alcoholic drinks on the 4 July weekend, it has been revealed, with beer becoming the celebratory lockdown-breaker of choice among punters.

On-trade re-emerges with professional calm and strong bookings

Published: 06 July, 2020

Early indications from those on-trade operators that chose to reopen over the weekend suggest good numbers of customers and both guests and staff taking safety guidelines in their stride.

UK-wide bars and restaurants gear up to unveil new look on-trade this weekend

Published: 03 July, 2020

Bars, restaurants and pubs are expected to re-open in droves this weekend, with a complete overhaul of safety procedures set to establish a new normal for the British on-trade.

Berkmann research suggests 71% of diners plan to spend the same or more

Published: 29 June, 2020

New research by Berkmann Wine Cellars suggests that 71% of those who used to visit restaurants more than once a week will spend the same or more post lockdown.

Additional 145 million pints to be sold due to reduced ‘distancing’

Published: 24 June, 2020

CGA has calculated that 145 million additional pints of beer will be sold through the on-trade as a result of the new 1 metre distancing rule, compared with what would have been sold with 2 metres.

Government publishes re-opening guide

Published: 24 June, 2020

The government has this morning published the re-opening guide for the hospitality industry.

Post-pandemic staffing

Published: 22 June, 2020

With a shortage of qualified on-trade staff an industry issue pre Covid-19, what will be the outcome for those that weather lockdown? Chris Losh reports.

Pre-registration and ordering apps considered for on-trade reopening

Published: 22 June, 2020

On-trade visitors may have to register before going to pub, bars and restaurants, health secretary Matt Hancock has suggested.

On-trade calls grow in urgency for clarity on reopening

Published: 16 June, 2020

As the tough balancing act between protecting health and promoting the economy dominates national debate, UK on-trade operators are becoming increasingly vocal on the need for government clarity ahead of reopening.

Sunak confirms “urgent comprehensive review” of 2 metre rule

Published: 15 June, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed PM Boris Johnson has ordered a “comprehensive review” on the 2 metre social distancing rule.

Soapbox: Stephen Finch on the 2 metre barrier to trade

Published: 08 June, 2020

Asking for rational trade-offs, Vagabond’s Stephen Finch voices the on-trade’s concern over the economic impact of shut-down and the 2 metre distancing rule.