English wineries reveal re-opening plans

Bolney Wine Estate and Coates & Seely have announced how they plan to start reopening their businesses to the public following the PM’s confirmation yesterday that the on-trade can reopen on 4 July with a reduced 1 metre social distancing rule.

Diageo launches $100m on-trade recovery fund

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

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

Naked Wines reports 81% sales surge during lockdown

Naked Wines has reported an 81% surge in sales during April and May, making up the first two months of fiscal 2021.  

Quarterly rent day dampens relief over 2 metre relaxation

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

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. 

Initiative to help homeless ex-hospitality workers launches

Seedlip and No.3 London Dry Gin have partnered with a couple of furloughed hospitality workers to launch a fundraising initiative in support of the growing number of homeless people caused by Covid-19. 

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2020 award winners to be announced in November

Winners of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier 2020 competitions will be announced at an awards dinner on 20 November. 

Primum Familiae Vini launches €100,000 annual prize

BWS sales through grocers continue to boom

Alcohol sales through grocery stores continued to boom in the past four weeks, up 43% year-on-year, as the on-trade stayed shuttered.

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

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.

Amazon online drinks boom sustained by ‘grey pound’

Driven by the lockdown to online purchasing, some 3.3 million UK shoppers bought drinks via Amazon for the first time, with older shoppers predicted to uphold the trend.

Cointreau steps up Drinks Trust support

Cointreau has teamed up with a London floral designer to launch a fundraising initiative in support of The Drinks Trust.

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

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

On-trade groups take initiative on reopening

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.

Cramele Recas secures Waitrose listing

Cramele Recas has secured its first listing with Waitrose.

Research confirms protracted on-trade recovery

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.

Friday read: English Chardonnay hits its stride

With a raft of new releases in the run-up to English Wine Week, producers are championing the potential of cool-climate Chardonnay, writes Barnaby Eales.

English Wine Week set to fizz

Picnics, quizzes, virtual tours, tastings and winemaker webinars are among the myriad events set to fly the flag during English Wine Week on 20-28 June.

Government extends lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium

The government has extended the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium to the 30 September, giving hospitality businesses crucial breathing space.