Soapbox: Taxing times for drinks
Published: 06 January, 2026
Paragon Brands’ Chris Jones on the reality of schemes such as EPR and DRS for challenger brands and consumers.
Read more...
Nick Gillett: Sticks, carrots and sustainability in the spirits sector
Published: 29 September, 2025
There was a time where every other headline in spirits industry publications read ‘sustainability’, but it’s not been that way for quite some time. Thanks to the economic headwind we’re all facing (businesses and consumers alike) sustainability has very much slipped down the agenda. Because how can you prioritise the environment in your business, if said business doesn’t survive?
Read more...
WSTA brands Welsh DRS plans “confusing”
Published: 20 August, 2025
The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned that the Welsh government's “confusing proposal” to create a unique Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) “risks creating significant market distortions”.
Read more...
Industry pushes for delay on EPR scheme
Published: 24 October, 2024
With only a few months remaining before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme begins, UK businesses are calling on the government to delay its rollout, citing confusion, unpreparedness and unclear costs. In a joint letter to Defra, over 80 companies have urged postponing the scheme until there is more clarity on its operation and expenses.
Read more...
Soapbox: Miles Beale's hope for the future
Published: 06 August, 2024
Wine & Spirit Trade Association CEO Miles Beale shares his optimism that the new government will listen to the trade.
Read more...
UK's Deposit Return Scheme faces 2027 Delay
Published: 26 April, 2024
Efforts to align the UK's bottle deposit and return scheme (DRS) across all four nations have hit a snag, with an anticipated launch pushed back to 2027, marking a four-year extension from the original timeline.
Read more...
Friday Read: Encirc on uncorking the path to Net Zero
Published: 15 March, 2024
Fiacre O’Donnell, sustainability director at glass container manufacturer Encirc, looks at the future of sustainability for wine and spirits supply, including low-carbon/alternative energy fuels and the possibilities of a digital deposit return scheme (DDRS).
Read more...
Lidl trials return scheme after DRS delay
Published: 08 February, 2024
Discounter Lidl has launched its own return scheme for PET plastic and aluminium drinks containers, eight months after the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) was delayed by the Scottish government.
Read more...
Scotland fears ‘multi-million-pound’ rates increase
Published: 04 September, 2023
UKHospitality Scotland is urging the first minister to address the multi-million-pound increase in business rates that is set to hamper Scottish hospitality next spring.
Read more...
Scottish DRS delayed until 2025
Published: 07 June, 2023
The Scottish Government has officially announced a delay to the launch of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until October 2025, following weeks of speculation as to the future of the initiative and a UK-government enforced exemption of glass.
Read more...
UK government overrules glass inclusion in Scottish DRS
Published: 30 May, 2023
The latest back and forth between the UK government and Scotland’s devolved powers has derailed plans for Scotland to include glass as part of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), with glass now to be fully excluded both north and south of the border.
Read more...
Scotland’s alcohol advertising ban ‘sent back to drawing board’
Published: 19 April, 2023
After significant backlash from the Scottish drinks trade proposals to restrict alcohol advertising north of the border have been, “sent back to the drawing board”, first minister Humza Yousaf has announced.
Read more...
Scottish drink trade welcomes DRS delay announcement
Published: 18 April, 2023
Following months of petitioning from the drinks trade, new Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf announced that the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be delayed until March 2024.
Read more...
Letter to Scottish government calls for delay to DRS
Published: 07 March, 2023
Hundreds of businesses have joined forces calling on the Scottish government to “delay, review and rethink” its Deposit Return Scheme.
Read more...
Small businesses disadvantaged as DRS saga continues
Published: 03 March, 2023
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) continues to express serious concerns over the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) ahead of the August launch date with many questions about its operation still unanswered and small businesses still disadvantaged.
Read more...
Cashflow support fails to soothe Scottish DRS concerns
Published: 22 February, 2023
Circularity Scotland has announced that £22 million of cashflow support will be made available to Scottish producers preparing for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Read more...
Trade Associations unite against alcohol ad ban
Published: 21 February, 2023
The UK’s trade associations, representing the alcohol and retail sectors, have joined forces to oppose the Scottish government’s proposals for a ban on alcohol advertising and promotion.
Read more...
Soapbox: Is alcohol in Scotland an endangered species?
Published: 14 February, 2023
Luvians manager Archie McDiarmid fears for the future of the alcohol industry in Scotland if government proposals go ahead
Read more...
Scotland’s tidal wave of challenges
Published: 10 February, 2023
From the Deposit Return Scheme to a new consultation paper on restricting alcohol advertising, the Scottish drinks industry faces a barrage of problems. James Bayley reports.
Read more...
Scotland on-trade facing ‘tidal wave’ of challenges, says SLTA
Published: 31 January, 2023
Scotland’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels face an unprecedented cocktail of challenges, according to the most recent Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA) survey.
Read more...Search
Digital Editions
© Agile Media Ltd 2025. All rights reserved. Agile Media Ltd. Registered office:
56-58 Church Walk, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AN
Registered in England No. 6646125. VAT No. 938 4452 95
56-58 Church Walk, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9AN
Registered in England No. 6646125. VAT No. 938 4452 95
