Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Government releases details of temporary alcohol off-sales extension

Published: 22 July, 2020

The government has released details of its temporary alcohol off-sales permissions.

Restaurant Rescue project launched by Cape winemakers

Published: 17 July, 2020

A new initiative urging wine estates to adopt a restaurant has been launched in Cape Town in response to the blow of the renewed government ban on drinking.

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.

“Kickstart scheme” for young people to lift up hospitality sector

Published: 08 July, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed plans to subsidise work placements for young people in a move that is believed to be aimed at stimulating the hospitality and tourism industries while tackling unemployment post-Covid.

Six-month VAT cut to 5% for hospitality and tourism

Published: 08 July, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a major cut to VAT for the hospitality and tourism sectors as they emerge from lockdown, as well as a first of its kind government-backed discount to help encourage customers to get back to the nation's bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes.

Hospitality reopening weekend spend down 45% on previous year

Published: 08 July, 2020

Despite a big bounce in transactions as many pubs, bars and restaurants reopened their doors on the weekend, overall spend was down across the hospitality, leisure and entertainment sector by 45% compared with the same weekend in 2019.

Covid-19 estimated to cost food and drink SMEs £21k each

Published: 07 July, 2020

New research has estimated that small hospitality businesses operating in food and drink will on average lose £21,586 in lost work, earnings and loan repayments as a result of Covid-19.

One million hospitality staff due back to work in July

Published: 30 June, 2020

Almost 1 million hospitality staff are expected to be back in work before the end of July, according to a new survey by UK Hospitality (UKH).

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.

FMV in consultation with staff over future of business

Published: 24 June, 2020

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) is understood to be in consultation with its staff over the future of the company.

Diageo launches $100m on-trade recovery fund

Published: 24 June, 2020

Diageo has unveiled a new global programme to support pubs and bars to welcome customers back and recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Government publishes re-opening guide

Published: 24 June, 2020

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

Quarterly rent day dampens relief over 2 metre relaxation

Published: 23 June, 2020

The quarterly rent due 24 June, just a day after PM Boris Johnson relaxed the 2 metre rule while confirming 4 July reopening for hospitality, comes as a sobering reminder that the on-trade’s woes are far from over.

PM confirms on-trade reopening as 4 July and reduces ‘distancing’ to 1 metre

Published: 23 June, 2020

PM Boris Johnson has confirmed the reopening date for the hospitality sector as 4 July, while also reducing the current social distancing rule from 2 metres to 1 metre.

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.

New app and bar as Soho’s Trade embraces post-pandemic landscape

Published: 22 June, 2020

Hospitality members’ club Trade is to shift to a “virtual version” of the club’s benefits post-lockdown, looking to evolve its industry support ethos with the launch of a resource-based app.

On-trade groups take initiative on reopening

Published: 22 June, 2020

Many UK pub, restaurant and café operators have set a 4 July reopening in motion despite there still being no announcement from government confirming either the date or possible easing of the 2 metre rule.

Research confirms protracted on-trade recovery

Published: 22 June, 2020

A new survey of UK Hospitality (UKH) members has confirmed that hospitality businesses are expecting a lengthy and painful recovery, with levels of trade expected to be significantly supressed for many months to come.

‘Distancing’ most important to on-trade guests post-lockdown

Published: 19 June, 2020

Having social distancing measures in place has been revealed to be the key concern for consumers when they return to the on-trade post-lockdown, according to new research released by Hallgarten & Novum Wines today.