Searcys launches no and low somms training initiative

Restaurateur and events caterer Searcys has launched a sommelier training initiative focused on non-alcoholic pairings to match with lunch and dinner menus.

Harpers ‘HOT 50’ on-trade survey open for nominations

Once again we are inviting you to have your say ahead of our Harpers HOT 50 on-trade influencers feature, which recognises and celebrates those at the top of their game.

Jones closing The Harrow to focus on wine

After 21 years at Michelin-starred wine oasis The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, proprietors Roger and Sue Jones have announced they will take final orders on 28 March 2020.

Joe Fattorini on cues and discounts

JOE FATTORINI

Greek winery expands in London on-trade

Greek winery T-Oinos is celebrating new listings at a range of top restaurants in London.

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Q&A: Romain Bourger, The Vineyard

Mangrove appoints on-trade sales director

Mangrove UK has promoted its current South sales manager Chris Pollard to on-trade sales director.

Over 150 companies back female mentoring initiative

Over 150 leading employers across the UK have signed up to a mentoring initiative to help women in senior positions reach board level of companies in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

An ever lengthening festive period bodes well for on-trade

A bumper Christmas could be on the on-trade horizon driven by the festive period now extending across three weeks compared to the ‘historic’ two, according to CGA.

On-trade optimism flies in face of uncertainties

Optimism among leaders in the on-trade has risen to its highest point for 18 months despite political and economic uncertainty. But senior executives remain wary of squeezed spending and rising costs, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA and Fourth.

South Western train strike adds to London hospitality woes

Nik Darlington from importer Graft, which specialises in supplying the London on-trade, says the South Western Railway strike alongside steep business rates and overbearing rents with could tip some hospitality businesses over the edge this Christmas…

Ask A Somm: Maxim Kassir, 108 Brasserie, Marylebone

As well as working as a sommelier at the 108 Brasserie in The Marylebone Hotel, London, Maxim Kassir also oversees wine innovation for the site and its parent group The Doyle Collection. Here he shares his thoughts on low and no alcohol wine and how the on-trade can be more sustainable.

UK pub numbers on the rise again

The number of British pubs has increased for the first time in a decade, analysis from hospitality sector software start-up Stampede has revealed.

Wetherspoon to invest more than £200m across its estate

Wetherspoon has announced it is to invest more than £200 million on its pub estate over the next four years.

Avoiding the low/no Frankenwine monster

In the battle for low/no customers, Frankenstein wine may not be the answer, writes Chris Losh

Drinks sales rescue on-trade from weak November

Drinks sales in Britain’s pubs helped the on-trade stay in growth in November, latest monthly food-and-drink data from the Coffer Peach Tracker has shown.

New interactive 'Instagram-able' bar ordering app launches

A new 'Instagram-able' interactive bar ordering app bridging the digital and physical worlds has been unveiled by Cambridge Consultants.

Diageo buys Tipplesworth to drive cocktails ‘on tap’ growth

Diageo has acquired pre-mix cocktail specialist Tipplesworth for an undisclosed sum.

Low and no on-trade sales soar by nearly 50%

Sales of no- and low-alcohol drinks in the on-trade have risen nearly 50% in the last year, according to a new report from food-and-drink sector analysts CGA.