Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK drinks SMEs outperform other sectors

Published: 15 January, 2024

Small and medium-sized UK beverage manufacturers are performing favourably when compared to other sectors, a new report has found.

SMEs hit back over government’s proposals to overhaul alcohol taxation

Published: 17 February, 2022

The Wine and Spirit APPG has published its SME Inquiry Report on the government’s ‘illogical and unfair’ reform to alcohol duty.

Indies: Fighting fit?

Published: 17 January, 2022

Adaptability has been key for indies that have sought not just to survive, but to thrive, as Angela Mount reports.

Increased supplier costs for SMEs as price of raw materials rack up

Published: 02 November, 2021

Supply chain issues and increasing costs have impacted small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country with four out of five (79%) revealing they have faced increased prices from suppliers over the past six months.

SME distillers call for duty freeze to prevent the British gin bubble from bursting

Published: 12 October, 2021

Britain’s gin makers are calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze spirit duty and extend hospitality’s VAT cut to alcoholic drinks to help boost British business.

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.

Bringing it All Together at SME business advice summit

Published: 22 April, 2021

Many SMEs have had it particularly tough during the pandemic, with small and medium-sized businesses less likely than their larger rivals to have access to the resources to help guide them through.

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.

WSTA and SMEs call on Chancellor for further support in budget

Published: 21 January, 2021

Many of the UK’s best known wine and spirit SMEs have written a joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to cut duty while extended the hospitality’s VAT cut to provide further relief for those struggling with the pandemic.

Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

Published: 11 March, 2020

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.

Chapel Down, Lanchester Wines and Fever Tree named top SMEs

Published: 10 May, 2017

A number of key players in the drinks industry have been named in a list which celebrates the UK’s fastest growing small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).