On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

One-in-eight pubs now at imminent risk of insolvency

Published: 09 February, 2026

One-in-eight pubs in the UK are in “severe financial distress” and at imminent risk of insolvency, according to accountancy firm Price Bailey.

Hopsitality: Pursuing work-life balance

Published: 04 February, 2026

The hospitality industry is well known for its tricky work-life balance. Whether it be long, demanding shifts, unpredictable and irregular hours or excessive workloads, the trade’s reputation is that its demands often eat into employees’ personal lives, impacting their mental and physical health.

Two thirds of consumers believe pubs and bars good for local communities

Published: 02 February, 2026

New consumer research from Zonal in partnership with NIQ has revealed that 69% of consumers believe that pubs, bars and restaurants play an important role in their communities.

Calls for business rates pub relief to extend to all hospitality

Published: 12 January, 2026

Last week’s reports that pubs will see great business rates support has been followed by a chorus of industry figures urging the government to extend the relief to all of hospitality.

Redefining glassware: how sommeliers select vessels

Published: 22 December, 2025

Given that it’s been in use for wine consumption since about 1500BC, glassware has had plenty of time to evolve, and today’s manufacturers have the restaurant world spoilt for choice when it comes to sizes, shapes and colours. But how far are today’s top sommeliers prepared to go outside the traditionally accepted vessels when it comes to providing the best experience for diners in their food-matching choices – and what do diners expect?

Business rates: Hospitality venues to be hit with £32k hike

Published: 20 December, 2025

Fresh analysis from trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) can reveal that over the next three years hospitality venues in England can expect to see an average increase in business rates of over £32k.

Bibendum and Matthew Clark unveil their 2026 on-trade predictions

Published: 15 December, 2025

Drinks distributors Bibendum and Matthew Clark (both under the C&C Group umbrella) have unveiled their 2026 predictions for the on-trade – both in terms of overall and wine-specific trends.

SIBA issues open letter on Budget concerns

Published: 04 December, 2025

The Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) has sent an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, expressing its “deep concern” that the hospitality sector was facing a “crisis of survival” after the recent Budget.

Report: Signs of stabilisation in the restaurant market

Published: 04 December, 2025

Lumina Intelligence – an insights company for food and drink brands – has released its Restaurant Market Report for 2025, revealing signs of increasing stability in the restaurant market after years of turmoil.

Licensed Trade Charity acquires site for new school

Published: 28 November, 2025

The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC), a leading hospitality charity, has announced the acquisition of a site (pictured) in Waterlooville, Hampshire, for a new specialist autism school.

Hospitality insolvencies flatlining as industry awaits upcoming Budget

Published: 19 November, 2025

New figures from The Insolvency Service show that company failures in the hospitality sector were essentially unchanged in September 2025 – and only slightly higher year-on-year – as operators await next week's Budget.

November Budget: UKH demands action as hospitality job losses mount

Published: 12 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to take action at the upcoming Budget to protect jobs and restore confidence in the hospitality sector.

Leading hospitality businesses demand action at upcoming Budget

Published: 10 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality has called for action ahead of the upcoming Budget in an open letter backed by 345 hospitality businesses.

Pub insolvencies on rise as cost pressures take toll

Published: 03 November, 2025

Pub insolvencies saw a marked increase during Q2 and Q3 of 2025, reversing a tentative recovery seen earlier this year. According to accountancy firm Price Bailey, 219 pubs entered insolvency in Q2, followed by 189 in Q3. Q1 saw 161 establishments not able to pay their debts.

Hospitality: Rates surcharge threatens high street closures

Published: 27 October, 2025

According to trade bodies UK Hospitality (UKH) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) 500 high street retail premises will be at risk of closure if the planned business rates surcharge goes ahead.

London Cocktail Week founders take ownership of event brand

Published: 20 October, 2025

The founders of London Cocktail Week – Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhán Payne (pictured) – have acquired both the London Cocktail Week and London Wine Week brands from previous owners Speciality Drinks Ltd.

LTC Awards spotlights industry wellbeing progress

Published: 06 October, 2025

The annual Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) awards ceremony shone a light on businesses in licensed hospitality who have shown dedication to ensuring employee wellbeing.

World Class: Norwegian bartender Felice Capasso crowned global winner

Published: 06 October, 2025

Norway’s Felice Capasso has won the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025 at the Toronto-hosted annual ceremony.

UKH encourages hospitality teams to write to their MP

Published: 22 September, 2025

UKHospitality (UKH) has launched a new online tool for hospitality teams to call on the Government to support the sector by writing to their MP.

What should bars stock amid the low & no boom?

Published: 22 September, 2025

Walk into any pub or bar in the UK and you’re likely to find at least one decent non-alcoholic beer on offer. It’s great news for those off the booze, but with a range of innovative options now available, from kombucha to adaptogenic spirits and CBD soft drinks, bars relying on beer to satisfy the growing demand for low & no may be missing out.