UKH: ‘GDP figures highlight importance of hospitality’

GDP figures for November, released last Friday, have highlighted the impact of hospitality on the UK’s economy and made the case for the sector to be “at the heart of reopening plans”, UK Hospitality (UKH) has said.     

Prolonged VAT reduction and duty cut will aid UK recovery, says WSTA

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on the Chancellor to extend the VAT reduction as well as the duty cut for alcohol as it says businesses in the on-trade have been ‘unable to feel the benefit’ of the schemes.

Up to 310,000 hospitality jobs at risk without 5% VAT extension

Up to 310,000 jobs across the hospitality and tourism sector are at risk without an extension of the reduced 5% VAT rate, a new survey has revealed. 

The dry truth of drought in Burgundy

As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough, France faced a drought so bad that water restrictions were put in place. Nowhere was the lack of water felt more keenly than in Burgundy, where irrigation is illegal.

Eat Spain Drink Spain winners unveiled

Foods and Wines from Spain has announced the winners of last year’s Eat Spain Drink Spain 2020 campaign.

WSTA launches low & no alcohol labelling guide

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has produced new guidance around the labelling of low & no alcohol drinks as a record number of Brits explore the category. 

GCA calls on suppliers to say if retailers are treating them 'fairly and lawfully'

Mark White, the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), has launched the annual survey with a call to wine and spirit suppliers to tell him if retailers are treating them “fairly and lawfully”. 

Hospitality and foodservice revenues forecasted to drop £30bn in 2021

Revenues across the hospitality and foodservice industry have been forecasted to take a £30bn hit this year, with Covid restrictions likely to play out well into 2021. 

Majestic top rated retailer at Best Places to Work awards

Majestic Wine has been recognised with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, as one the Best Places to Work in 2020. 

WG&S: ‘Decentralisation of luxury consumers present unique challenges for luxury brands’

The pandemic has caused an accelerated shift in consumer habits and brand activity, driving a decentralisation of luxury and making it irrevocably accessible to consumers, according to William Grant & Sons (WG&S) Trending 2021 Report. 

Bordeaux Index sales top $125m

Fine wine and spirits merchant Bordeaux Index has recorded over $125m in total sales in 2020. 

Broadland brings Clem Yates MW on board as consultant winemaker

Broadland Drinks has brought winemaker and sourcing consultant Clem Yates MW on board as a consultant winemaker.

Parliamentary hospitality debate shows cross-party sector support

The debate on whether to create a minister for hospitality in the UK government showed cross-party support for the struggling sector, with an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners.

New Horizons Q&A: Michelle Brampton, Treasury Wine Estates

CGA: ‘Staff engagement crucial over lockdown’

Businesses need to stay close to their teams during Britain’s lockdown to make sure staff are engaged and motivated when venues reopen, according to CGA’s latest Business Confidence Survey. 

ABS launches Oz tasting in absence of generic event

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) is gearing up to host  its own virtual Australia portfolio tasting in light of the cancellation of the generic annual Australia tasting. 

Minister of hospitality petition exceeds 200,000 signatures ahead of parliamentary debate today

The ‘Seat at the Table’ petition, which is calling for Boris Johnson to appoint a hospitality minister, has received over 200,000 signatures.

DOC Maremma Toscana first Tuscan PDO to use bivarietal label

The European Union (EU) has given Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana the green light to use a bivarietal (wines that blend two grape varietals) label, marking a first for a Tuscany PDO wine.

BNIA: ‘US Sanctions will destroy Armagnac industry’

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac (BNIA) has described the latest announcement by the US for sanctions against French wines and spirits as “a real economic bomb” that will “destroy Armagnac industry”.

Jeroboams creates private sales manager role

Jeroboams has created a private sales manager position as a result of 12% growth for its private sales.