On-Trade - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

On-trade: All points east for natural wines

Published: 01 November, 2024

James Bayley investigates the natural wine bars of east London to find they embrace informality and welcome all.

Hospitality faces £2,500 rise in staff costs following Budget changes

Published: 01 November, 2024

The Autumn Budget’s employment tax measures will raise the cost of employing full-time staff by at least £2,500, according to an analysis released by UKHospitality.

Budget review: A ‘horrific’ state of affairs for the trade

Published: 31 October, 2024

An outcry has erupted from the trade following yesterday’s Autumn Budget, which led to disappointment on many fronts, including a measly 1p off draught beer, further rises to duty for wine and a lowered rate of business rates relief which has been described a kick in the teeth to businesses.

BCB London show to debut at Tobacco Dock in June 2025

Published: 31 October, 2024

Following the July announcement from international trade fair organiser RX that BCB, a global bar and beverage trade show, will debut in London, organisers have confirmed the date and venue.

Chancellor announces pay rise, adding £1.9bn to hospitality wage bill

Published: 30 October, 2024

The hospitality sector is facing a substantial increase in operating costs as the Chancellor confirms a 6.7% rise in the National Living Wage, set to take effect in April 2025. The uplift will raise the hourly rate from £11.44 to £12.21, directly impacting more than 3 million workers and adding an estimated £1.9bn to the hospitality sector’s wage bill.

Pubs and hospitality warn of job cuts if rates relief ends

Published: 28 October, 2024

A survey of pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses has revealed that jobs and investment plans would be threatened if business rates relief expires in April, causing bills to quadruple.

Humble Grape strengthens sales team with David Green appointment

Published: 23 October, 2024

London-based wine bar and retailer Humble Grape is bolstering its retail and B2B operations with the appointment of David Green as director of sales.

Purnell’s restaurant closes after 17 years amid wider Michelin-star closures

Published: 14 October, 2024

Glynn Purnell’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Purnell’s, has shut its doors after 17 years. The Birmingham-based restaurant served its final guests on 12 October, with Purnell citing economic challenges and pressures on the hospitality sector as key reasons for the closure.

UKHospitality welcomes flexibility focus in employment rights bill

Published: 10 October, 2024

UKHospitality has welcomed the government’s focus on employment flexibility in the Employment Rights Bill but cautioned that the proposed changes could lead to additional costs and require further consultation to avoid unintended consequences.

How the Bank of England base rate impacts the hospitality industry

Published: 09 October, 2024

The Bank of England’s base rate, also referred to as the Bank Rate or simply the interest rate, is a key economic tool that affects the cost of borrowing and returns on savings in the UK. Set by the Bank of England, it helps control inflation and maintain economic stability.

More than one in ten British pubs at risk of closure

Published: 08 October, 2024

More than one in ten British pubs are at imminent risk of closure, with 11% of the UK’s pubs classed as technically insolvent and facing maximum credit risk, according to analysis by accountancy firm Price Bailey.

Majestic Commercial secures partnership with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts

Published: 03 October, 2024

Majestic Commercial, the on-trade arm of the UK’s largest wine retailer, Majestic, has signed a significant deal with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts.

On-trade: The psychology of wine lists

Published: 02 October, 2024

James Bayley digs deep into what makes a wine list tick.

New tip law introduced for hospitality workers in Great Britain but not NI

Published: 01 October, 2024

From today (1 October), hospitality workers in Great Britain will have legal protection to receive 100% of tips paid by customers in restaurants, cafes, hotels and other service industries. However, these rights do not extend to Northern Ireland, leaving workers there without the same protections as the rest of the UK.

Bibendum unveils New Bordeaux School for sommeliers

Published: 27 September, 2024

Bibendum Wine has launched its New Bordeaux School, an educational programme targeting sommeliers.

Hospitality faces financial struggles as national debt hits record high

Published: 25 September, 2024

UK debt has reached 100% of GDP, its highest level since 1961, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Meanwhile, against this national backdrop, new research suggests that the hospitality sector is one of the industries facing significant debt concerns in the current climate.

Hospitality insolvencies jump 16%

Published: 23 September, 2024

New company insolvency statistics from auditing firm RSM show insolvencies in hospitality saw a significant increase in the year to July, as an underwhelming summer compounded the challenges facing the sector.

UK pub and bar sector to see modest growth in 2024

Published: 19 September, 2024

The UK pub and bar sector is set for modest growth in 2024, with a forecasted 1.5% rise in value, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Operator Data Index.

Hospitality businesses warn of sharp rise in bills if rates relief ends

Published: 16 September, 2024

Hospitality and leisure businesses face a fourfold increase in their bills, potentially adding tens of thousands of pounds to costs per venue, if business rates relief ends on 31 March.

Hospitality vacancies fall below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic

Published: 12 September, 2024

The number of job vacancies in the UK’s hospitality sector has dropped below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There are currently 98,000 vacancies in food service and accommodation, marking a reduction on recent years. However, the number remains 5,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000.