Tom Jones: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

By Harpers Editorial team

Published: 17 August, 2026

The Whalley Wine Shop's founder and MD continues our summer Q&A series, speaking on a postive year, the disappointments of low-value wines, and the continued struggle against climate change.

How has business been for you in the first half of 2026 and how do things compare to where you were last year?

So far so good. Retail sales are on track against budget and the wine bar side of our business is showing good growth. No doubt both have been helped by the hot, dry summer we’ve had but it’s been a welcome relief from the challenges a drizzly wet summer in Lancashire can often bring.

What are you most proud of achieving this year in terms of driving the business forward?

Establishing a full-time manager in the Wine Bar has meant that I am not having to be there day in day out which has been incredibly important. It’s allowed me to put my focus back on the shop side of things and try to stabilise and grow that part of the business again. The shop is the engine that drives everything else after all so it needs to remain the key focus for us all the time.

What have been the biggest challenges so far this year and how have you sought to circumvent those?

Staffing on the shop side. We lost a couple of long term members of the team last year and while it’s been nice having the salary line come in under budget this year, its time to bring in some fresh energy, ideas and momentum – know anyone in the trade who might be interested in managing and running one of the North West’s best little indie wine shops?!

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, what do you have in the pipeline?

We have built a ‘Wine Garden’ at our wine bar which should come online towards the back end of summer and early Autumn ready for it to go full on next spring. We have a couple of great direct shipping collaborations lined up – one with a winery in Portugal and another in Spain and then before we know it we will be putting our Christmas brochure together, Christmas cases, the next edition of our gin. Plenty in the pipeline as always!

What significant or emerging trends are you seeing in the drinks’ world that are likely to have an impact on the future nature of trade?

I’m finding the reduction in alcohol at the cheaper end of the market really disappointing. House wines for wholesale use have become poorer quality and ‘watery’ in taste. It’s so disappointing that this is being pushed out to a new generation of customers, who may just be discovering wine, that this is what ‘wine’ tastes like. On the plus side, the continued emergence of lighter, fresher, bright crunchy reds suitable for chilling has been great to see and will hopefully really hit its stride next year if we get another great summer.

From government, consumers, or the trade itself, what change(s) would you most like to see to help your business and others to thrive?

From government – please just let us get one step ahead for once. From continued increases in alcohol duty, increases in national insurance, increases in minimum wage, removal of rates relief, increases in tax. We just need to feel our hard work is rewarded for once not continually battling to stand still against constant cost increases behind the scenes.

From consumers – please keep exploring new countries, regions, styles and grape varieties. I really would like to sell you an Agiorgitiko rather than another Appasimiento or a Sylvaner rather than a Sauvignon.

From the trade – just keep doing what you do, there are some brilliant people in our industry doing great things and we should support, encourage and buy from each other to keep it all spinning and such a fun, exciting place to do business.

What fills you with joy and optimism about the drinks world?

The constant adaptation from winemakers to deal with the challenges thrown at them by climate change. To just keep fighting and adjusting and adapting to deal with this new challenging climate reality and still strive to make fabulous wines is very inspiring.

Any other predictions for the second half of the year?

I think the bumper summer is going to leave a little short term ‘lull’ so we're expecting a quieter September and October (don’t panic guys it happens every year!) but then I’m really hopeful for a great Christmas driven by people wanting to spend time splashing out for family and friends to counteract the madness that's out there at the moment in the wider world.

Quick fire questions…

Burgundy or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux

Germany or Greece?

Both. But if really pushed then Riesling wins it for Germany.

Pet nat or prosecco?

Neither. Traditional method please.

A bottle or by the glass?

Bottle.

Whisky, rum, gin or tequila/mezcal (for sipping)?

Whisky if home, tequila if out.

Go to cocktail?