Alcoholic Beverage

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73% of hospitality operators see soft drinks as growth area

09-Dec-2015 By Emma Eversham

More than half (60 per cent) of hospitality operators believe soft drinks have become a more important part of their offering over the last year, yet many are not paying enough attention to their range or doing enough to promote them, according to research...

Boozy lunches make a return

30-Nov-2015 By Liam Garrahan

The consumption of alcoholic beverages such as beer, cider and wine, at lunchtime is on the increase, according to a report by M&C Allegra Foodservice. 

Wetherspoon boss slams Jamie Oliver over 'big brother' sugar tax

20-Oct-2015 By Sophie Witts

Jamie Oliver’s campaign for a tax on sugary drinks is ‘out of touch’ with public opinion and would cost pubs millions, Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has warned.

Consumers prefer to drink alcohol in restaurants over bars

06-Aug-2015 By Sophie Witts

Nearly two thirds of consumers prefer to drink alcohol in restaurants rather than bars or pubs, according to new research from Bookatable.co.uk.

Consumers demand better technology in pubs

29-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Over a quarter of consumers would like to see improved technology in pubs to allow them to work away from home, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker report.

Young's begins Burger Shack expansion

24-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Young’s pub company is rolling-out its Burger Shack concept to a further three sites in July.

Dining trends: Premium wine sales boom in restaurants and gastro pubs

07-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Premium wines are continuing to buck the trend of overall declining wine sales in restaurants, pubs and gastropubs, with the sector experiencing double digit sales growth year-on-year.

Dining trends: Fewer than one in 10 pub visits now solely drink occasions

26-May-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

The continued growth of food in pubs has been borne out by the fact that fewer than one in 10 visits in 2014 were drink-only occasions.

Wine remains diners' top choice of drink

27-Mar-2015 By Michelle Perrett

White and red wine remain the most popular drinks for restaurant goers, new figures have revealed.  

ETM Group makes first move out of London with new Suffolk pub

20-Mar-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

London-based gastropub operator ETM Group is to open its first venue outside the capital.

CAMPAIGN NEWS

ALMR and BII back Budget Drop the Duty campaign

24-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) have both backed the ‘Drop the Duty’ campaign which calls for a 2% cut in wine and spirits duty in next month’s Budget.

Starbucks to boost evening trade with hot food, wine and beer offerings

20-Feb-2015 By Emma Eversham

Starbucks has announced plans to boost its evening trade by serving hot and cold meals along with beer and wine from 4pm at selected stores. 

Pub wine and spirit sales at a high

10-Feb-2015 By Mike Berry

Wine and spirits sales are becoming increasingly important to the on-trade and now account for almost half of the value of all drinks sales in new openings, exclusive figures have revealed.

Stonegate pushes forward with technology-focused pub format

04-Feb-2015 By Emma Eversham

Stonegate will open the latest of its technology-focused pubs in Reading next month giving customers access to a range of technological facilities as well as all day drinking and dining options. 

On-trade alcohol sales in need of festive cheer

19-Dec-2014 By Carina Perkins

Pubs and restaurants have been hit by falling alcohol sales over the past twelve weeks, but could receive a boost as people gear up for the festive period.

The Railway Tavern opens in Richmond

10-Dec-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Nicholson's has opened The Railway Tavern pub in London’s Richmond in a building that previously housed an O’Neill’s.

Report blames government policy for pub closures

10-Dec-2014 By Carina Perkins

Government policies such as the smoking ban, alcohol duty escalator and VAT are to blame for the closure of more than 6,000 pubs in the past eight years, according to a new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

London pub re-opens with new restaurant

25-Nov-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The George pub on the Strand has re-opened following an extensive refurbishment and now includes new restaurant The Pig & Goose. 

Industry warns against calorie labelling on alcohol

03-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

The licensed trade has warned that displaying calorie labels on alcohol in pubs and bars could encourage people to skip food in favour of booze.

McVeigh to open sixth Draft House

03-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Publican Charlie McVeigh is set to open his sixth Draft House venue in the former Birdcage Public House site in East London, on 30 November.

Premiumisation drives on-trade drinks market

17-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Sparkling wine sales have continued their impressive growth, with Champagne also showing strong upward movement, according to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Sports Bar & Grill opens 5th venue in Piccadilly

26-Aug-2014 By Melodie Michel

Sports Bar & grill is opening its fifth London site near Piccadilly Circus this September.

Eclectic to re-launch two venues

19-Aug-2014 By Melodie Michel

Eclectic Bar Group has announced the major refurbishment and rebranding of two of its venues.

Ask the Experts

How to serve great beer

06-Aug-2014 By Carina Perkins

Whether a hotel, restaurant or pub, the quality of beer served can have an impact on customer satisfaction, profits, sales and waste. Here, Steve Lakin of drinks dispense service Innserve gives his tips on good cellar management for great beer.

Current alcohol trends: consumers want premium and unique

11-Jul-2014 By Lauren Houghton

William Grant & Sons UK has announced the findings of its annual spirits and Champagne report, revealing current consumer trends in alcohol and seeing how this affects the way the industry should engage with its customers.

Industry pledges to stock lower ABV house wines

10-Jul-2014 By Melodie Michel

Pubs and bars have agreed to stock house wines below 12.5 per cent ABV and promote lower-alcohol products to customers as part of the government’s campaign to tackle the £21bn a year cost of drink-related harm.

The Bump Caves bar to open in London

01-Jul-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Latest bar venture The Bump Caves from owner of The Draft House Charlie McVeigh will open on 10 July on Tower Bridge Road in London. 

Mitchell and Cooper launches the Coolbar

24-Jun-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Barware specialist Mitchell & Cooper has introduced the Coolbar to its product portfolio.

Wine and spirits over 40% of on-trade sales

20-Jun-2014 By Carina Perkins

Wine and spirits sales now make up 41.45 per cent of the value of all drinks sold in pubs, bars and restaurants, according to the latest Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) report.

Orchid deal: What is at stake for M&B

29-May-2014 By Melodie Michel

Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) is now in exclusive talks to buy 170 food-led pubs from Orchid – a deal that, if completed, would help the firm get ahead of competition. 

Urban Leisure Group launches seventh bar and restaurant site

29-May-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The Urban Leisure Group launched its seventh site Ask For Janice bar and restaurant in London’s Smithfield this week. 

Alcoholic drinks: Cider trends and innovations

27-May-2014 By Carina Perkins

In the second part of our special feature on alcoholic drinks we look at the latest trends and innovation in the on-trade cider market, which is out-performing beer and hitting the consumer sweet spot.

Alcoholic drinks: Expert tips on maximising sales

27-May-2014 By Carina Perkins

For the final part of our special feature on alcoholic drinks, BigHospitality asked some experts for their tips on maximising sales of wine, beer & cider, and cocktails.

Raido brothers launch third venture

07-May-2014 By Melodie Michel

Jose and Mel Raido are set to open the Communion cocktail bar on the same street as their existing venues Church Street Hotel and Angels and Gypsies Restaurant in London.

Community Pubs Month highlights importance of local engagement

01-Apr-2014 By Luke Nicholls

The list of pubs now being run by their local communities is gathering pace, but over a third of pub-goers visit their local less often than they did 12 months ago. 

Cider, spirits and soft drinks show strongest on-trade growth

28-Mar-2014 By Carina Perkins

Cider, spirits and soft drinks are outperforming the rest of the on-trade drinks market, according to the latest data from CGA Strategy.

City Pub Company snaps up two more in London

25-Mar-2014 By Luke Nicholls

City Pub Company, the Enterprise Investment Scheme-funded pub operator, has secured two new venues in central London and an extra £7m in banking facilities to continue its UK expansion.

Report highlights growing importance of wine and spirits to on-trade drinks sales

18-Mar-2014 By Carina Perkins

Sales of wine and spirits are on the rise in pubs, bars and restaurants, according to the latest research by CGA Strategy.

Restaurant magazine: Russell Norman and Richard Beatty on Polpo, pubs and future plans

04-Mar-2014 By Carina Perkins

Polpo co-founders Russell Norman and Richard Beatty talk about their new pub venture, the evolution of their business and their dynamic relationship in an exclusive interview with Restaurant magazine this month.

Supermarket sweep: Expanding stores call last orders on hundreds of pubs

07-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

With 18 pubs closing every week across the UK, new research from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has found that two of those pubs are being converted to supermarkets, despite objections from local residents. 

Estate diversity delivers profitable Christmas for TCG

02-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Managed pub and bar operator TCG has reported a sales boost for the ‘movable feast’ that was Christmas 2013, with an average 7 per cent uplift in turnover across its estate thanks to ‘a definite upturn in consumer confidence’.

Mickey Finn producer to roll out new chocolate and whipped cream liqueur range

25-Nov-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Babco says its new chocolate and cream-infused alcoholic drink is set to shake up the UK liqueur market.

Government urged to lower hospitality VAT as majority of pub licensees back campaign

11-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

The pub and restaurant industry is being urged to call on the Government to introduce a reduction in the level of VAT paid on food and drink.

Hi-Spirits to 'drive innovation' in RTD category with launch of Manzana Loca

23-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Drinks company Hi-Spirits is hoping to drive innovation within the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with the launch of Manzana Loca. 

James Chase and ex-Harvey Nichols bar manager join forces to launch The Running Horse pub

22-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Chase Distillery owner James Chase and Dominic Jacobs, a former bars manager at Harvey Nichols and bar director at Sketch, have joined forces to re-open Mayfair pub The Running Horse. 

Hot summer becomes 'long dry drought' for pubs and restaurants

09-Sep-2013 By Emma Eversham

The hot summer turned into a 'long dry drought' for the on-trade according to the Wine & Spirit Trade Association's (WSTA) latest Market Report, which shows that alcohol sales at restaurants and pubs have fallen six per cent in the...

The Good Pub Guide predicts loss of up to 4,000 pubs this year

29-Aug-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Good Pub Guide has predicted that between 2,500 and 4,000 pubs will go out of business over the next year because they have failed to keep up with rising standards across the industry.

Brewing up a storm: Craft beer sales continue to climb

13-Aug-2013 By Luke Nicholls

While many drinks categories in the UK on-trade are declining in sales, craft beer is bucking the trend, with a sales growth of 79 per cent in the past year equating to 74 million pints being sold in pubs and bars across the country.

BBPA admits 'challenging' beer market remains as on-trade sales fall again

26-Jul-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has admitted the beer market remains 'very challenging' after its Beer Barometer found on-trade sales fell by 5.8 per cent in the last three months.

Warming up: Pub sales boosted by heatwave

25-Jul-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The recent heatwave has brought some much needed good news for Britain’s pubs groups, with Marston’s, Fuller’s, Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon all reporting a boost in summer sales after poor weather at the start of the year had initially...