1,406 UK restaurants go under in just 12 months

UK restaurant insolvencies have jumped 64% from 856 in 2020/21 to 1,406 in the past year as rising inflation and labour shortages drive restaurants out of business.

The charity helping vulnerable people find work in hospitality

Only A Pavement Away, the hospitality sector charity aiding prison leavers, veterans and those facing homelessness back into employment, has laid out plans to assist the industry in tackling the staffing crisis.  

Calls for action on business rates as inflation reaches 40-year high

Mounting pressure is being placed on the government to ease the ‘financial fragility’ of the hospitality sector during its upcoming review of business rates, as businesses continue to suffer rising supply chain costs and runaway inflation.

Jubilee helps on-trade achieve 5% sales growth

June’s like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 5% ahead of the pre-Covid-19 levels of June 2019, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals. 

Government extends off-sales licence after backlash

The government has announced that it will extend the alcohol off-sales easement, introduced during the pandemic, to September 2023, following a campaign led by UKHospitality and other sector bodies.

Hospitality sector recovery stymied by labour shortages, rising costs, and a drop in consumer confidence

A new report, Future Shock – Leaving Covid Behind, shows sales are back to pre-pandemic levels, but 15% of roles remain vacant, costs are spiralling, and the cost of living challenges is impacting consumer spending.

Artesian launches Artesian Atelier

Award-winning London bar, Artesian, will launch Artesian Atelier this month, a workshop and guest bar series for mixologists.

Courvoisier announces new brand ambassador, Beckie Sullivan

Harpers' new Top 25 Sommeliers in the UK revealed

As the on-trade bounces back, Harpers is delighted to unveil its new annual list of the best somms in the UK.

Retail market starting to return to pre-Covid norms

According to Kantar, sales are falling at all the major multiples, but it’s not all doom and gloom. During the 12 weeks to 12 June, supermarket sales, including alcohol, groceries and softs, fell 1.9% year on year. Supermarket alcohol sales are also declining, down 12% year on year in the same period.

7,000 pubs forced to close in last 10 years

According to real estate consultancy Altus Group, the number of pubs in England and Wales is now at its lowest point on record, down by more than 7,000 in the last decade.

Report: How the on-trade is shaping up post-pandemic

Kam MD Katie Moses partnered with Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole at LWF to present Shaping Up the On-trade in a Post-Pandemic World. The analysis, based on extensive research into evolving consumer consumption and purchasing trends, makes compelling reading for any operators looking to sharpen their offer.

With the pandemic having wrought havoc on the hospitality landscape, it has changed, perhaps irrevocably, as existing trends accelerated and new trends have come to the fore. And, despite serious issues, including staffing, inflation and wobbling consumer confidence, there are new opportunities arising.

‘It’s not the job of businesses to solve global problems’ says Mangrove MD

A new taxpayer-funded ad campaign will ask businesses to cut prices to help with the cost-of-living crisis from July.

Rioja Wine Month returns this October

A month-long celebration of Spain’s finest wine-producing region across independent retailers and restaurants nationwide, Rioja Wine Month returns this October to bring the quality and diversity of Rioja to life for consumers across the UK.

National Hospitality Day returns for second edition

A landmark event pioneered in 2021 will return to the UK this year, uniting a diverse cross-section of businesses in the hospitality sector.

Britain’s cities back in growth as spend and inflation rise

Out-of-home food and drink sales are in growth in all of Britain’s 10 biggest city centres, with higher spend-per-visit driving growth rather than footfall.

‘Critical’ staff shortages costs hospitality £21bn in trade

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are reaching critical levels and causing nearly half (45%) of operators to cut trading hours or capacity in order to cope, a new survey has said.

Winner Announced 2022 UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge

Mark Ron Patana from Medlar has been chosen as the winner of the 2022 UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge,  following a fiercely fought final which took place at the IRIS Studios in London on Monday, June 20. The Runners up were Frédéric Monnery from Coravin and Faidon Dernikos from 67 Pall Mall.

UK eating-out market set to value £95.2 billion in 2022 +4% versus 2019

According to the new Lumina Intelligence Eating Out Market Report, the UK on-trade is set to value £95.2 billion in 2022, +4% versus its 2019 value, meaning that inflation is outpacing market growth.

Cost-of-living crisis and staff shortages threaten £36bn hospitality and leisure growth

A new report warns today that the cost-of-living crisis could severely hamper the hospitality and leisure sector’s post-pandemic recovery amid a widespread lack of staff.