On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Top 25 Sommeliers to celebrate best in the business

Published: 05 May, 2022

Harpers is delighted to announce the launch of its Top 25 Sommeliers, designed to recognise and celebrate the leading lights in the on-trade drinks world.

Customers are crying out for support when buying wine KAM research finds

Published: 27 April, 2022

New research out this week shows that 1-in-3 customers don’t feel confident ordering wine in pubs, bars and restaurants, with 1-in-9 admitting that they often find the experience intimidating.

Delivery slips as consumers return to eating out

Published: 26 April, 2022

Britain’s managed restaurant and pub groups’ delivery and takeaway sales remain more than double pre-Covid-19 levels – but trading has dipped year-on-year as consumers resume their out-of-home eating habits.

Inside Hospitality report finds disturbing lack of support for minority ethnic groups

Published: 26 April, 2022

The second edition of the Inside Hospitality report has found worryingly high levels of racism in the workplace, cemented by 28% of Asian, 37% of Black and 39% of mixed ethnicity respondents experiencing or witnessing racism in their current place of work.

Labour costs pushed ever upwards as hospitality battles to retain staff

Published: 19 April, 2022

Staffing issues continue to set back hospitality’s recovery from Covid-19, according to a new survey, which has found that nearly four out of five hospitality leaders have offered higher wages to try to retain staff.

Chianti Classico UK Sommelier Ambassador Competition is launched

Published: 14 April, 2022

The Consorzio Chianti Classico will select its first UK ambassador in September.

Rising cost of living sees average drinking out spend decline -9%

Published: 13 April, 2022

According to the latest data from Lumina Intelligence, consumer spending in the on-trade has declined by -9%, in the 12 weeks ending 20/03/2022.

How the on-trade is advancing Chile and Argentina up the wine list

Published: 06 April, 2022

With its menu populated by Central and South American delicacies, Paladar aptly defines itself as “the taste of Latin America in the heart of London SE1”. To match its geographical scope, the restaurant’s wine list consists of labels from Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico. Chile and Argentina feature too, of course – South America-themed restaurants serve as their natural home. Elsewhere however, the continent’s two leading wine-producing countries tend to be relegated to the cheaper end of the wine list.

Portuguese wine is perfectly poised for the on-trade, says Oz Clarke

Published: 30 March, 2022

Oz Clarke, the wine writer and presenter, waxed lyrical about the wonders of Portuguese wine during a masterclass on Tuesday, explaining to the audience why the on-trade should sit up and take notice.

St Patrick's Day, weather and sport lift drinks sales to a 2022 high

Published: 28 March, 2022

Last week’s out-of-home drinks sales were 7% up on pre-pandemic levels, CGA’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker reveals.

Balfour Winery to develop boutique wine hotel in Kent

Published: 28 March, 2022

Maidstone Borough Council has accepted Balfour Winery entrepreneur Richard Balfour-Lynn’s proposal to develop plans to create a boutique wine hotel in the Archbishop’s Palace, Maidstone, Kent.

The trade reacts to the government’s VAT increase

Published: 24 March, 2022

Today, the government has officially returned the VAT rate for the hospitality and tourism industry to 20% (24 March).

Double Dutch announces return of female bartending scholarships

Published: 21 March, 2022

Double Dutch, a manufacturer of premium tonics and mixers, has confirmed that its female bartending scholarship initiative will return in 2022.

Burger & Lobster unveils refugee recruitment drive

Published: 21 March, 2022

Leading restaurant group Burger & Lobster has announced plans to develop a new online portal for Ukrainian refugees seeking hospitality work in the UK.

Hospitality can help the cost of living crisis, new report finds

Published: 16 March, 2022

A report compiled by UKHospitality and CGA highlights the vulnerable state of the UK’s pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It also demonstrates how hospitality can help solve the cost of living crisis.

It’s time to raise the bar - Michelin style

Published: 14 March, 2022

A brand new recognition system for the world’s best bars is set to become one of the industry’s most respected benchmarks of excellence.

Hospitality sales above pre-pandemic levels, but cost of living looms large

Published: 14 March, 2022

Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups raised sales above pre-pandemic levels in February, thanks mainly to the removal of Covid-19 restrictions. Still, high inflation continues to make real-terms growth challenging.

London Cocktail Week 2022 dates and format announced

Published: 11 March, 2022

London Cocktail Week 2022 will run from 13-23 October 2022, including two weekends, following two years of extended month-long activities.

Ukrainian vodka supports fundraising for British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal

Published: 11 March, 2022

Emporia, a spirits importer, is teaming up with several bars across the UK to serve cocktails with the Ukrainian Vodka ‘Staritsky Levitsky, Private Cellar’.