There may be trouble ahead…

The number of leaders with confidence in the future of their own company within the eating and drinking-out market took a knock in the three months to November 2018, according to the latest CGA Business Confidence Survey.

Vagabond launches urban wine school

Vagabond Wines is adding official wine educator to its ever-growing list of services.

Joe Fattorini: Wine, bottle, decanter, ZOMBIES, corkscrew

Joe Fattorini contemplates the Hedwig von Restorff effect and how contextual isolation can become a money-spinner

Maverick's Jerry among several new on-trade training initiatives

It’s been a good year for education in the on-trade, with a number of new initiatives being launched in the UK recently.

Parlez-vous Français?

Authentique Epicerie & Bar has launched its new 700 bin-strong Francophile wine list on north London this month, bringing a flavour of France and its former colonies to Tufnal Park.

Miller and Masso open Fam

Fam Bar & Kitchen

Q&A: Xavier Rousset, restaurateur and master sommelier, Trade

Xavier Rousset talks to Harpers about Trade, a new Soho-based private members’ club for the restaurant and bar world

New dawn for on-trade training

It’s been a good year for education in the on-trade, with a number of new initiatives being launched in the UK recently.

Sager and Dzelzainis concoct category-breaking Mexican spirits

A partnership between Michael Sager and Marcis Dzelzainis of London venues Sager + Wilde, together with East London Liquor Company’s Alex Wolpert, has resulted in a range of category-defying Mexican spirits entitled El Destilado.

On-trade wine trends for 2019

Marston’s team create bespoke Boutique-y gin

Teams at Marston’s Rotisserie outlets throughout the UK were called on recently to submit their ideas for a bespoke gin for the pub group.

Restaurant numbers fall 2% in a year

UK restaurants are on the slide, according to the new edition of the Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

Joe Fattorini: Is your wine list upside down?

Not only is your wine list upside down, but you haven’t dropped your anchor. Joe Fattorini shares more wacky wisdom on the psychology of sales

NZ Sommelier Scholarship participants announced

New Zealand Winegrowers has confirmed 18 recipients of its 2019 International Sommelier Scholarship, designed to encourage on-trade ambassadors for the country’s wines.

Rigging the game

Less is often more when it comes to turning a profit says consultant Sean Finter, a master at optimising returns from on-trade businesses. Harpers tuned in to his message at Bar Convent in Berlin. 

UK hospitality sector continues to grow despite Brexit concerns

The UK hospitality sector has turned over in excess of £100bn for the first time and now employs 2.35 million people.

William Grant & Sons offers bartender training

William Grant & Sons’ UK Brand Ambassador team is offering training to bartenders at its first ever Unwrapped: The Other Side of Bartending event in Edinburgh on 29 October.

Pied à Terre leads petition for business rates to be abolished

Philip Hammond is being urged to abolish ‘debilitating’ business by some of the UK’s leading restaurateurs.

Big interview: Charlie Stein, wine buyer, The Vintner and Rick Stein Restaurants

Straddling both on and off-trade and with a famous family restaurant group behind him, Charlie Stein chats to Andrew Catchpole about life in the wine trade

Tipping point

The government has revealed plans to help ensure hospitality workers get all the tips left for them, but reactions to the news were mixed, reports Michelle Perrett.