James Bayley

The latest figures on alcohol licensing in England and Wales reveal a sharp uptick in new licences and temporary event notices, reflecting a surge in demand across the hospitality sector.

The Drinks Trust has appointed Nicky Burston as its new chief executive, taking over leadership of the charity dedicated to supporting people in the UK drinks and hospitality industry.

WineGB has introduced its ‘People Support Hub' to mark the close of its 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the wine sector.

Kingsland Drinks has secured an exclusive deal with Lidl GB to introduce wines from Ukraine's Bolgrad Winery to the UK, marking the first Ukrainian wines listed by a British supermarket.

James Bayley takes a look through Waitrose's ambitious autumn drinks portfolio and finds sustainability front of mind.

The Jeroboams Group has announced the acquisition of another in-bond storage facility, bolstering its leadership in the fine wine and private client market.

LWC, the UK's largest independent drinks wholesaler and wine specialist, has teamed up with South African winery Overhex Wines to launch Kamina, a new range of lower-alcohol wines in anticipation of the February 2025 duty increase.

The iconic British pub is facing a crisis on an unprecedented scale. Recent findings from leading accountancy firm Price Bailey indicate that more than 11% of UK pubs are at imminent risk of closure.

The 2024 vintage in Chablis has emerged from one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory, with severe frost, hailstorms and heavy rains collectively slashing yields by an estimated 60%. Despite these setbacks, the region's winemakers remain optimistic, citing the vintage's distinctive quality, marked by vibrant lemon and grapefruit notes and characteristic minerality.

Confidence among Britain's hospitality leaders has plunged as sector challenges deepen, with CGA by NIQ's latest Business Confidence Survey revealing worsening sentiment amid squeezed margins and reduced consumer spending.