Business & Finance - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Severe staff shortages dampen Freedom Day

Published: 20 July, 2021

The number of new job vacancies in the hospitality sector rose by almost 10% in the last seven days, according to new analysis by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.

On-trade group sales nearly level with 2019

Published: 19 July, 2021

Britain's managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw sales in June nearly level with the same month in 2019 on both a total and like-for-like basis, according to the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

Business leaders optimistic about next 12 months

Published: 15 July, 2021

A majority of business leaders now feel optimistic about market prospects for the next 12 months, while consumers are increasingly confident about going out, according the latest Future Shock report from CGA and UK Hospitality (UKH).

Moët Hennessy and Campari enter joint venture

Published: 13 July, 2021

Moët Hennessy and Campari Group have announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with the purpose of investing in wines and spirits ecommerce companies.

Industry welcomes lifting of social distancing measures

Published: 13 July, 2021

The industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s confirmation that social distancing measures will be lifted next week, a move that UK Hospitality (UKH) said would bring “huge relief” for the hospitality sector.

Long read: Authenticity is worth its weight in gold

Published: 01 July, 2021

Callum Saunders, head of planning at ZEAL Creative, looks to the latest BrewDog scandal over its “solid gold” cans for lessons on the importance of promotional excellence.

TaxPayers’ Alliance backs tax cuts for wine producers

Published: 24 June, 2021

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has added its voice of support for the English wine industry calling for an end to the “unfair tax system that is crippling the industry”.

Over 75% of licensed sites traded by the end of May

Published: 21 June, 2021

A total of 76.2% of Britain’s licensed sites were trading by the end of May, with the number more than doubling from April’s 32.9% thanks to the return of inside service, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor research from CGA and AlixPartners.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

Published: 17 June, 2021

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.

Investment in hospitality sector slumps 14%

Published: 08 June, 2021

Business investment in the hospitality sector slumped 13.7% last year, trailing UK industry as a whole, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Recruitment and retention ‘huge’ concerns for hospitality

Published: 03 June, 2021

Fears of staff shortages after the pandemic and Brexit, plus challenges in keeping post-furlough teams productive have come out as key concerns for hospitality business leaders.

UKH: ‘Delay on further relaxation of restrictions will have devastating effect’

Published: 02 June, 2021

Any potential delay on further relaxation of restrictions this month would have a “devastating effect on an already-fragile hospitality sector”, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.

UKH urges English outlets to prepare for new business rates payments

Published: 01 June, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged sector businesses in England to fully prepare for new business rates payments that will kick in from 1 July, with new bills expected to land in the coming weeks.

Adam Smith Institute calls out ‘Alice in Wonderland’ thinking on VI-1s

Published: 26 May, 2021

The Adam Smith Institute has added its voice to calls on government to reduce post-Brexit red tape for the wine trade, including scrapping the much derided and wholly unnecessary VI-1 forms.

Preview: London Wine Fair 2021 heads online

Published: 06 May, 2021

The 40th London Wine Fair (LWF) is set to be a digital event this year, boasting a range of tastings, industry sessions, one-to-one meetings with winemakers and networking opportunities.

One in four licensed premises yet to reopen

Published: 01 May, 2021

One in four — just under 25,000 — of Britain's licensed premises have yet to reopen despite the return of inside service, according to the latest snapshot Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners.

SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

Published: 16 March, 2021

The £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, announced last month, is now open for applications.

Additional grants for Welsh SMEs

Published: 16 March, 2021

Additional grants that will benefit small and medium-size hospitality businesses in Wales have been announced by the Welsh government’s First Minister Mark Drakeford.

UKH urges govt to review roadmap following legal challenge

Published: 15 March, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged the government to review the roadmap again following the instigation of legal action by Pizza Express investor Hugh Osmond and night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord.