Majestic announces reopening

Majestic has announced that, bar "a handful" of stores, its 200-strong estate of retail stores will reopen for business tomorrow (Friday).

BBR confirms far reaching 'review' of troubled FMV

Berry Bros. & Rudd has confirmed that it is “reviewing” its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm, with staff consultation ongoing, with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis almost certainly meaning that the business will not continue in its current shape or form.

William Grant auction to sell 300 unique items for charity

William Grant & Sons has announced it is to sell more than 300 “rare and unique” items as part of its #Standfast Charity Auction in aid of The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland.

Top Selection goes direct to consumer with online launch

Importer Top Selection has officially launched 9 Elms Wines, a new online wine and spirits retail arm, aimed at giving consumers direct access to “boutique wines” that the company said would “normally only be available to restaurants and specialist retailers”.

Cork Supply comes close to eliminating TCA

Portuguese closure manufacturer Cork Supply has unveiled new TCA extraction technology that it claims can achieve a success rate of 99.85% in eliminating the risk of cork taint in cork-sealed wines.

Industry reacts to reopening guide

The green light for the hospitality sector to reopen was met with relief, as was the reduced social distancing measure that saw 2 metres become 1 plus, with both announcements welcomed across an industry desperate for some positive news.

Harpers teams up with Loire Valley for indies promotion

Loire Valley Wines is once again to run its popular Independent Wine Merchant promotion this Autumn.

Still boosts booming English wine sales

Multiple retailers and Indies alike have reported a spike in sales of English and Welsh wine during lockdown driven by still, local and regional. 

FMV in consultation with staff over future of business

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

New Wines of Portugal president outlines key priorities

New Wines of Portugal president Frederico Falcão has pointed out his priorities for his three-year mandate.  

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

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.

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