Parliamentary hospitality debate shows cross-party sector support

The debate on whether to create a minister for hospitality in the UK government showed cross-party support for the struggling sector, with an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners.

New Horizons Q&A: Michelle Brampton, Treasury Wine Estates

CGA: ‘Staff engagement crucial over lockdown’

Businesses need to stay close to their teams during Britain’s lockdown to make sure staff are engaged and motivated when venues reopen, according to CGA’s latest Business Confidence Survey. 

ABS launches Oz tasting in absence of generic event

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) is gearing up to host  its own virtual Australia portfolio tasting in light of the cancellation of the generic annual Australia tasting. 

Minister of hospitality petition exceeds 200,000 signatures ahead of parliamentary debate today

The ‘Seat at the Table’ petition, which is calling for Boris Johnson to appoint a hospitality minister, has received over 200,000 signatures.

DOC Maremma Toscana first Tuscan PDO to use bivarietal label

The European Union (EU) has given Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana the green light to use a bivarietal (wines that blend two grape varietals) label, marking a first for a Tuscany PDO wine.

BNIA: ‘US Sanctions will destroy Armagnac industry’

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac (BNIA) has described the latest announcement by the US for sanctions against French wines and spirits as “a real economic bomb” that will “destroy Armagnac industry”.

Jeroboams creates private sales manager role

Jeroboams has created a private sales manager position as a result of 12% growth for its private sales. 

Vagabond appoints MD to allow Finch to go back to ‘what he does best’

Vagabond Wines has appointed Matthew Fleming, formerly of Be At One and Stonegate Pub Company, as its new MD.

Enotria unveils details of premium WSET course

Enotria & Coe has unveiled the details of its premium WSET course launching this month.

Beale: ‘OIV membership is only half of the picture’

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the UK government’s decisions to re-join the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) as a member, but also said that OIV membership was “only half the picture”. 

NZW reveals wine week programme

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has revealed the content of its inaugural New Zealand Wine Week, which kicks off a month tomorrow (8 February) as a virtual event.

Harpers 48h blackout: We’re still here

In a very 2020 twist to the New Year, Harpers was welcomed into January with multiple power blackouts which cut all access to our email server.

New Horizons Q&A: Louise Gordon, Heckfield Place

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for a better year.

Sunak announces top up grants for hospitality

Businesses in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors, including suppliers, are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 to help them through to the spring, the Chancellor has announced.

Takeaway alcohol banned in latest lockdown

Bars, pubs and restaurants have been banned from selling takeaway alcohol under England’s latest lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson last night. 

BWS supermarket sales surge 25%

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) surged 25% to £4.9m in the 12 weeks to 27 December – an increase of £972m compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar data released today.

UKH calls for recovery roadmap and pledges to assist vaccine roll-out

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called for a road map to recovery and has committed to assisting the vaccine roll-out.

New Horizons Q&A: Nick Devlin, Naked Wines

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

Scotland to enter national lockdown

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that restrictions similar to the lockdown of March last year will be implemented in Scotland from midnight tonight (4 January), meaning bars, restaurants and pubs across the country will be forced to close.