Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Hospitality hit once more by opening delay

Published: 01 July, 2021

The latest extension of Covid-19 rules could see the industry lose a further 300,000 jobs. Lisa Riley reports on the likely outcome of the measures

Hallgarten expands Italian portfolio

Published: 30 June, 2021

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has expanded its Italian portfolio, introducing 16 wines from five different producers in Northern and Central Italy.

Staff shortages to hit crisis levels

Published: 23 June, 2021

Staff shortages in the hospitality sector are set to hit crisis levels following the 30 June, when it will become more difficult to hire EU workers, a leading City law firm has warned.

Scottish trade associations warn of further hardship

Published: 23 June, 2021

Scottish trade associations have expressed disappointment and concern on the delay in easing restrictions, which they claim could cause more business failures and hardship for the sector.

Over 75% of licensed sites traded by the end of May

Published: 21 June, 2021

A total of 76.2% of Britain’s licensed sites were trading by the end of May, with the number more than doubling from April’s 32.9% thanks to the return of inside service, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor research from CGA and AlixPartners.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

Published: 17 June, 2021

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.

UKH: ‘Indication that business rates holiday will be extended would go a long way’

Published: 15 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged the government to waste no time in providing details of how it will safeguard the future of the hospitality sector following the Prime Minister’s confirmation that Covid restrictions will remain for another four weeks.

One-month delay to restrictions lifting would cost hospitality £3bn

Published: 14 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting would cost the hospitality sector around £3bn in sales.

On-trade groups report 26% sales dip in May

Published: 14 June, 2021

Britain’s managed bar, restaurant and pub groups recorded a 26% drop in total sales in May compared with the same month in 2019, according to the latest edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

More uncertainty over re-opening

Published: 08 June, 2021

With the rise of the Indian variant, the promised land of no restrictions is looking unlikely for this month. Lisa Riley reports.

Banks brothers launch premium canned wine brand

Published: 08 June, 2021

The trio behind Michelin-starred restaurants The Black Swan and Roots, brothers Tommy and James Banks and business partner Matt Lockwood, have launched their own range of premium canned wines.

UKH: ‘DRS must be workable for hospitality'

Published: 07 June, 2021

Safety and space concerns, increased business costs and bureaucracy caused by the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) would place a disproportionate burden on many hospitality businesses, UK Hospitality (UKH) has said in response to the government’s proposal on the scheme.

Report finds racism in hospitality, but appetite for change

Published: 03 June, 2021

More than half of black, Asian and ethnic minority hospitality professionals have experienced or witnessed racism at work, according to a new Inside Hospitality Report from Be Inclusive Hospitality.

Recruitment and retention ‘huge’ concerns for hospitality

Published: 03 June, 2021

Fears of staff shortages after the pandemic and Brexit, plus challenges in keeping post-furlough teams productive have come out as key concerns for hospitality business leaders.

UKH launches Jobcentre Plus initiative

Published: 03 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has joined forces with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to launch a Jobcentre Plus initiative to promote sector opportunities to jobseekers.

Glasgow restrictions eased as Scottish opening paused

Published: 02 June, 2021

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are facing a transition phase as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a cautious easing of restrictions with Glasgow to move to level 2.

UKH: ‘Delay on further relaxation of restrictions will have devastating effect’

Published: 02 June, 2021

Any potential delay on further relaxation of restrictions this month would have a “devastating effect on an already-fragile hospitality sector”, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

UKH urges English outlets to prepare for new business rates payments

Published: 01 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged sector businesses in England to fully prepare for new business rates payments that will kick in from 1 July, with new bills expected to land in the coming weeks.

Home delivery and takeaway continued to boom in April

Published: 25 May, 2021

Despite the easing of on-trade restrictions, April delivered another bumper month for home delivery and takeaway dining from restaurant groups, with sales 345% higher than April 2019.

Job vacancies in hospitality sector rise 46%

Published: 25 May, 2021

The number of new job vacancies in the hospitality sector rose by 46% in the last two weeks, according to new analysis by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.