News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wines of Germany cancels

Published: 20 March, 2020

Wines of Germany has announced its flagship trade and consumer event has been cancelled, in line with latest government advice on the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the UK.

Coronavirus: No plans to enforce on-trade closures

Published: 19 March, 2020

The Prime Minister has confirmed that there are no timelines or plans in place to enforce restaurants, bars or pubs to close as long as the advice given by the government is followed by the public.

LWC makes temporary switch to B2C model in reaction to coronavirus

Published: 19 March, 2020

LWC Drinks has announced it will be temporarily switching to a Business to Consumer (B2C) model, with the hospitality trade-focused business now accepting consumer orders to maintain business continuity during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The Duppy Share launches charity ‘self-isolation’ kit

Published: 19 March, 2020

The Duppy Share has launched Home Rum - a self-isolation kit for rum lovers, with all profits going to Hospitality Action - a charity dedicated to supporting the industry during times of crisis.

Jancis Robinson publishes major list of indie wine retailers delivering to self-isolators

Published: 19 March, 2020

Jancis Robinson MW has published a major list of independent wine retailers that are keeping lines of sales and delivery open amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

M Restaurants adopt social distancing plan

Published: 19 March, 2020

In response to falling footfall and social distancing, London’s M Restaurants has introduced a series of measures to help mitigate the downturn.

Coronavirus: On-trade operators urged to maintain licensing compliance

Published: 19 March, 2020

Law firm John Gaunt & Partners has urged on-trade operators not to ignore licensing compliances following the government’s coronavirus-led policy to allow pubs and restaurants to operate in the home delivery market.

Virtual Happy Hour leads on-trade support initiatives

Published: 19 March, 2020

A new ‘at home tasting’ initiative is looking to support the hospitality industry by encouraging the public to drink at home as if they were at their favourite bars and pubs.

Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

Published: 19 March, 2020

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

The Drinks Trust launches Covid-19 fundraising and support campaign

Published: 19 March, 2020

The Drinks Trust, formerly The Benevolent, has launched a campaign to support the individuals of the industry through the weeks ahead, and also to fundraise to help deliver that support.

Industry calls for alcohol duty suspension for at least six months

Published: 18 March, 2020

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on officials to urgently suspend all alcohol duty to ease the tax burden on beleaguered businesses ahead of next week’s deadline.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published: 18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

New date for Think Spirits

Published: 18 March, 2020

The launch of Harpers’ bigger and better spirits event, which is expanding in order to reflect a raft of dynamic and fast-moving drinks categories in the UK, is to take place later in the year.

Major restaurant groups close as coronavirus bites

Published: 18 March, 2020

D&D London and Wolseley have become the latest major on-trade coronavirus casualties with both having announced they are temporarily closing its restaurants with immediate effect.

Michael Broadbent MW passes away

Published: 18 March, 2020

Harpers has learned of the sad passing of critic and auctioneer Michael Broadbent MW, who has died, aged 92.

Chancellor announces additional £20bn support for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors

Published: 17 March, 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has increased promised government support for the hospitality sector, with a mix of tax cuts and grants, amounting to a £20bn support package, in addition to an overall support package of government backed and guaranteed loans available to business of £330bn.

Diageo unveils GB on-trade support package, including £1m pledge for bartender wages

Published: 17 March, 2020

Drinks industry giant Diageo has marked St Patrick’s Day with a pledge via its Guinness brand of £1m to support bartenders in the UK, with similar fund is being set up in Ireland.

Familia Torres launches ancestral winegrowing project

Published: 17 March, 2020

Family-owned winery Familia Torres has kicked off the latest stage of on an ongoing growing project in Alts d'Ancosa in the Penedès, where it will be planting historic local variety, Forcada.

Big Fortified Tasting latest coronavirus casualty

Published: 17 March, 2020

The Big Fortified Tasting is the latest trade tasting to be cancelled in the wake of the deepening coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

Industry petitions government not to wash its hands of responsibility on venue closures

Published: 17 March, 2020

The trade can now sign a petition that is urging the government to take urgent to action to provide financial and practical advice for the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants.