Greg Shaw, Hawkshead Wines, blog on Gonzalez Byass winery tour

Here on day two of an independent merchant trip round the wineries of Gonzalez Byass Greg Shaw of Hawshead Wines gives his daily update:

Nicholas Corke, Thomas Peatling Wines and his blog from Gonzalez Byass wineries tour

Nicholas Corke from Thomas Peatling and his daily blog during the independent merchants trip around Gonzalez Byass wineries:

Small shops hit hardest by VAT hike

The Coalition government's move to hike VAT to 20% will hit local shops hardest, the Association of Convenience Stores has warned.

Discover the Origin unveils summer media awareness campaign

Discover the Origin is today launching a new summer initiative to help raise consumer awareness of the European Union campaign to promote products of provenance around the continent.

Independent merchant visit to Gonzalez Byass wineries: Day one

A group of independent merchants are currently travelling around Spain visiting some of the wineries of producer, Gonzalez Byass. Here Ellie Morgan reports back on what they have seen so far:

Sign up for Top Merchants day: July 19, Bristol

The second Top Merchants networking and educational seminar is to take place on July 19 in Britol with Angela Mount, Susy Atkins and Wine Intelligence all lined up to take part.

Sign up for Top Merchants day: July 19, Bristol

The second Top Merchants networking and educational seminar is to take place on July 19 in Britol with Angela Mount, Susy Atkins and Wine Intelligence all lined up to take part.

Currency update, June 4: sterling bouncing back against the euro

Currency analysis for June, 2010 from Smart Currency Exchange, Harpers Wine & Spirit's currency partners:

Last chance to win Gonzalez Byass trip to Spanish wineries

This is your last chance to win a trip to visit González Byass's Spanish wineries in a competition being run in association with Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Forum for Private Businesses welcomes bid to cut red tape

A Government announcement to cut red tape and review legislation has been welcomed by the Forum for Private Businesses (FPB).

Currency update, June 2: sterling bounces back

Today's currency analysis from our currency partners Smart Currency Exchange has at long last some good news for sterling.

Currency update May 28: spreading your risk

Here is today's currency analysis from Smart Currency Exchange as part of the new free currency advice service from Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Justerini & Brooks launches wine broking service for all

Justerini & Brooks is looking to open up the wine investment market to anyone regardless if they know anything about fine wine with its new wine broking website, www.justerinis.com.

Currency update: pound hits two week high

The first of our regular analysis of the currency markets from our partners, Smart Currency Exchange, sees sterling hit a two week high.

Inverarity Vaults takes turnover to £7.4 million

Inverarity Vaults, Scotland's largest independent wine merchant, achieved a turnover of £7.42 million in 2009, an increase of 4%.

Tips on talking to your bank manager

BBC's Nigel Barden on Top Merchants programme

Nigel Barden, former wine merchant and BBC food and drink broadcaster, was co-chair of the first Top Merchants seminar in Birmingham. Here he gives his memories of the day and offers his advice on how they can get the most of out of their stores

How to keep on top of bad debts

Keeping on top of debts is critical for any small business, here John Davies, head of business law at ACCA sets out key advice on chasing up bad debts

10 tips on how to choose an accountant

Ten top tips for choosing an accountant by Emmanouil Schizas, SME policy adviser, ACCA. the global body for accountants

Top Merchants seminar, Birmingham, February 2010

The first Top Merchants event held in Birmingham in February revealed a real desire amongst leading indepedents to work closer together and find ways to stand up collectively for themselves, Richard Siddle and Tom Bruce Gardyne reports