On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Stamp scheme generates £32k for Cardiff indies

Published: 09 August, 2023

Since its launch just over a year ago, the Cardiff Wine Passport has generated more than £32,000 in revenue for independent restaurants and bars in Cardiff.

Pub closures surge again in Q2 breaking Q1 record

Published: 07 August, 2023

Pub closures reached back-to-back quarterly records in Q2 2023, smashing the previous unwanted benchmark set in Q1.

UK chains enjoy profit increase

Published: 07 August, 2023

According to research from UHY Hacker Young, the UK’s Top 100 restaurant groups have recorded a twelvefold increase in their profits in the last six months, rising from £19.9m in September 2022 to £241.8m in March 2023.

Oxford Wine Group announces new bar opening

Published: 31 July, 2023

Having celebrated its crowning as the number one merchant in Harpers' 50 Best Indies list 2023, The Oxford Wine Group has announced it will open a brand-new city centre venue later this year.

Professional development and well-being number one priorities for drinks industry

Published: 28 July, 2023

Results from the annual survey conducted by The Drinks Trust revealed that almost all (96%) of the drinks industry want to undertake professional development initiatives to help them in their career in the next 12 months.

On-trade overlooked by government says 62% of hospitality businesses

Published: 27 July, 2023

62% of hospitality businesses believe the sector receives less support and attention than other industries, new research from Peckwater Brands (PWB) has found.

Flaming June offers some respite for hospitality

Published: 26 July, 2023

A scorching June helped Britain's managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieve a ninth successive month of year-on-year sales growth, according to the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Richard Bigg, Camino and Bar Rioja

Published: 24 July, 2023

Mid way through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Richard Bigg, founder of Camino and Bar Rioja (pictured with wife Inma), to find out how the year as gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.

On-trade: To somm or not to somm?

Published: 24 July, 2023

Weighing up the worth of a good sommelier, Chris Losh explores the benefits they can deliver.

New pub finder app launches in London

Published: 20 July, 2023

A new free pub finder app “Pub Club” has launched this week to help Londoners seek out the best pub experiences in the capital.

Soaring costs in wine, staff and energy threatens hospitality

Published: 19 July, 2023

Red wine is one of several key commodities threatening the hospitality sector’s post-Covid-19 recovery due to rising prices.

Large operator profit doubles, though challenges remain

Published: 17 July, 2023

The percentage of the UK’s largest restaurant companies turning a profit has doubled in the last year, according to new figures. However, further interest rate rises now hover over the horizon. As a result, hospitality’s biggest operators could be facing new challenges on their return journey to profitability.

Live sport essential for UK pub and bars

Published: 13 July, 2023

With a summer of sport in full swing and the women's World Cup just around the corner, new research by CGA has revealed the increased spend and dwell times pubs can enjoy when screening live sports.

Cocktails in the City returns

Published: 10 July, 2023

Cocktails in the City put some of London’s best bars front and centre last week, with the return of an alfresco celebration of urban mixology.

Harpers' Top 25 Sommeliers 2023 announced

Published: 05 July, 2023

Harpers is delighted to announce its annual list of the best sommeliers in the UK for 2023.

Fall in incomes hits hospitality as operators absorb costs

Published: 03 July, 2023

New data has highlighted the effect of rising cost of borrowing on spending in the hospitality sector, as consumers’ real income falls.

Harpers to partner in Sommelier Wine Awards revival for 2024

Published: 03 July, 2023

Harpers is delighted to announce that owner Agile Media has teamed up with Imbibe Live to bring back The Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) for 2024.

London's hospitality sector ‘more stable’ in 2023

Published: 27 June, 2023

Central London’s hospitality sector is recovering after suffering hundreds of closures of licensed premises during the turmoil of Covid-19.

Vagabond opens English wine bar South Downs at Gatwick

Published: 23 June, 2023

Coinciding with English Wine Week, Vagabond, the award-winning urban winery has opened its second outlet at Gatwick Airport, South Downs – an English wine bar in the heart of the South Terminal departure lounge.

Hospitality operators report 5.6% sales growth in May

Published: 21 June, 2023

Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieved an eighth consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth in May 2023, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker shows.