Articles

EU & UK wine label changes, Gen Z drinking shifts, bar spend resilience, tech mergers & a boom in English sparkling innovation.

A new Heineken × CEBR report estimates that after-work socialising will inject nearly £29 billion into the UK economy in 2025. With workers seeking shorter, lower-ABV sessions and more informal venues, the 5-7 pm slot is prime territory for growth. For operators and brands, smart menu design, comfortable spaces and targeted promotions can transform early evenings into a major profit driver.

Michelin has quashed rumours that its Green Star award will be dropped from the UK Guide, reaffirming sustainability as a key measure of culinary excellence. For the drinks and hospitality industry, it’s a signal to double-down on provenance, waste reduction and ethical sourcing. Responsible operations are now a must-have, not a marketing extra.

Starbucks is closing 10 UK stores as rent, wages and utilities bite. The move underscores the challenges facing operators across the high street — from independent cafés to major chains — as fixed costs continue to rise and footfall patterns shift. The closures serve as a reminder that adaptability, smaller footprints and clever day-part planning are essential for survival.

Revolution Bars faces major financial trouble as sales drop and costs rise - here’s what went wrong and lessons for operators.

What happened, and when On 20 October 2025, DC London Pie Ltd, the franchisee operating Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in estate, appointed administrators (FTI Consulting). A pre-pack then moved 64 restaurants into direct ownership under Yum! Brands, while 68 restaurants and 11 delivery-only sites are closing, affecting about 1,210 jobs. Roughly 1,276 jobs transfer to the saved sites. Scope and structure matter This is a franchisee insolvency, not the collapse of the overall brand. Pizz

Take‑home iced coffees and prebatched cocktails are booming. From quiet midweeks to upselling commuters, UK cafés and bars are turning to compact canning and cup‑sealing machines. We explain the formats, costs and compliance, and spotlight Cuppion for iced drinks.

London Cocktail Week runs 9–19 October 2025 with 200+ bars offering £9 Signature Cocktails, £6 Tiny Cocktails and £6 alcohol‑free serves. Here are the must‑visit venues, standout drinks and the smartest routes by area.

The Drink Edition investigates the UK drinks industry in 2025: how new sugar levy proposals, a shift to 0.5% alcohol-free, extended pub opening hours, rising wine duty and the Carlsberg-Britvic deal are reshaping margins. We expose the real market trends behind no/low growth, BrewDog bar closures and squeezed independents, and share what operators must do now to protect profit.

No and low alcohol options are now a mainstay in UK pubs. With growing consumer demand, wider pub adoption and innovation from drinks brands, the NoLo category is moving from niche to normal.

The Welsh Whisky Society is the independent home for whisky lovers worldwide, celebrating Wales’s growing whisky scene through exclusive bottlings, national events, and community-driven experiences.

In the lush countryside of Herefordshire, where apple orchards stretch for miles and tradition is etched into the land, Celtic Marches...

Mountain Mead is an award-winning meadery in North Wales blending ancient tradition with modern craft. From a shed-born idea to a growing national brand, their meads are made using real honey, no shortcuts, and a passion for sustainability. Discover spiced metheglin, banana mead, oak-aged blends, and more - all handcrafted in Bangor with global recognition and local heart.

UK alcohol labelling is set for a shake-up. From calorie counts to cancer warnings, new rules could soon hit bottles and bar menus nationwide. This article breaks down what’s coming, why it matters for the hospitality sector, and how bars and small producers can prepare for a more regulated, transparent - and potentially disruptive - drinks landscape.

Behind rising costs and staffing woes lies another danger for UK hospitality: lease clauses triggered by the 2023 business rates revaluation. Bars and restaurants are facing sudden rent hikes, legal disputes, and enforced reviews - some backdated. If you haven’t read the fine print on your lease, now is the time. This article breaks down the risks and offers a survival guide for operators navigating this new wave of pressure.

The UK’s bars and restaurants are facing a hidden threat—carbon dioxide shortages. With major producers shutting down and bioethanol plants warning of closure, the nation’s CO₂ supply is hanging by a thread. This in-depth article explores the risks to draught beer, food packaging, and the entire hospitality supply chain—revealing why urgent action is needed to keep the fizz in Britain’s favourite drinks.

The Gin To My Tonic Show has shut down after entering liquidation in March 2025. Here's what it means for ticket holders, vendors, and the w

The citrus industry is under serious threat from disease, climate change, and rising costs. But with innovation and new growing regions emerging, is there still hope for the future of oranges, lemons and limes? Read the latest article on The Drink Edition to find out.

Discover the top UK bar trends of 2025, from immersive activity bars and listening lounges to NoLo pubs and eco-conscious venues. See how bars are evolving to meet changing customer tastes with bold interiors, minimalist cocktails and tech-led service.

The ever changing times of the UK hospitality industry.