Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Eden Mill Experience

Published: 14 February, 2024

Independent distiller Eden Mill opens its first brand-owned venue this month in Edinburgh, offering two interactive mixology experiences.

Scotland calls out government for pubs closing at twice the rate of England

Published: 05 December, 2023

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) have issued a joint appeal to support their sector after it emerged that English businesses will receive a 75% reduction in rates bills for the financial year 2024-25.

Scotland’s call to government as hospitality faces ‘continued barrage of challenges’

Published: 03 October, 2023

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) is pleading for more support to help protect the hospitality sector, as venues report the crippling impact of staff vacancies and ‘a continued wave of cost increases’.

Indie Q&A: Andrew Lundy, Vino

Published: 18 July, 2023

Vino’s boss is a familiar face well beyond the Edinburgh scene, but his passion remains rooted in retailing great wine to locals. Andrew Catchpole dropped by.

Scottish DRS delayed until 2025

Published: 07 June, 2023

The Scottish Government has officially announced a delay to the launch of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until October 2025, following weeks of speculation as to the future of the initiative and a UK-government enforced exemption of glass.

Scots call time on ‘self-inflicted’ advertising proposals

Published: 10 March, 2023

The Scottish retail and hospitality sectors have added mounting calls to government to reassess its proposed ban on alcohol advertising, as the consultation reaches its close.

Cashflow support fails to soothe Scottish DRS concerns

Published: 22 February, 2023

Circularity Scotland has announced that £22 million of cashflow support will be made available to Scottish producers preparing for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

Soapbox: Is alcohol in Scotland an endangered species?

Published: 14 February, 2023

Luvians manager Archie McDiarmid fears for the future of the alcohol industry in Scotland if government proposals go ahead

Scotland’s tidal wave of challenges

Published: 10 February, 2023

From the Deposit Return Scheme to a new consultation paper on restricting alcohol advertising, the Scottish drinks industry faces a barrage of problems. James Bayley reports.

Scotland on-trade facing ‘tidal wave’ of challenges, says SLTA

Published: 31 January, 2023

Scotland’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels face an unprecedented cocktail of challenges, according to the most recent Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA) survey.

New DRS launch date reconfirms glass exclusion for England and NI

Published: 20 January, 2023

The newest launch date for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England and Northern Ireland has re-confirmed that businesses will not be required to participate in a new system for glass recycling. However, confusion still abounds around the roll-out of four different national DRS schemes and how they will work in practice.

Cross-party report issues dire warning about Deposit Return Scheme

Published: 29 June, 2022

An inquiry led by the cross-party beer and pubs group in the Scottish Parliament has warned that a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) cannot be successfully implemented without drastic changes to the scope and remit of the proposed initiative.

Pernod Ricard’s ‘Responsib'All Day’ returns for tenth addition

Published: 22 June, 2022

Pernod Ricard has partnered with local communities in London and Scotland for the tenth edition of its Responsib’All Day – an initiative set up with the aim of helping to protect and restore biodiversity around the UK.

Devolved regions to receive emergency on-trade funding, while concern grows in England

Published: 20 December, 2021

Scotland and Wales are to receive additional funding from Westminster to help struggling businesses cope with new Covid restrictions, as England awaits news on further restrictive measures.

Scotland announces DRS implementation date

Published: 15 December, 2021

Scotland's Minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity has confirmed that the nation's inaugural Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will launch next year.

Scottish trade hails reopening but raises concerns for the future

Published: 04 August, 2021

The hospitality sector has welcomed news that Scotland will be easing Covid-19 restrictions from next week but has called for more clarity on the details.

Ramsay moves into spirits with gin range

Published: 28 July, 2021

Gordon Ramsay has joined forces with Eden Mill to launch a gin range, marking the Michelin chef’s first step into the UK spirits market.

Scotland urged to drop social distancing measures

Published: 14 July, 2021

The Scottish licensed trade has welcomed yesterday’s announcement for the further loosening of Covid restrictions, but warns that the expected date of 19 July for all of Scotland to move into Level 0 with a more substantial winding down from 9 August still presents challenges and concerns.

Scottish trade associations warn of further hardship

Published: 23 June, 2021

Scottish trade associations have expressed disappointment and concern on the delay in easing restrictions, which they claim could cause more business failures and hardship for the sector.

Glasgow restrictions eased as Scottish opening paused

Published: 02 June, 2021

Pubs and restaurants in Scotland are facing a transition phase as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed a cautious easing of restrictions with Glasgow to move to level 2.