Excise

Sector bodies unite in call for 'fair deal for pubs' in spring statement

09-Mar-2018 By Claire Churchard

The Chancellor has been urged to take decisive action on business rates reform, hospitality VAT and post-Brexit excise duty by a coalition of industry and consumer hospitality bodies ahead of his spring statement next week.

WSTA implores Hammond to consign booze hikes to Christmas past

21-Nov-2017 By Stuart Stone

With this year’s seasonal shop to cost an all-time high, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) attempted to mask its frustration.

Worrying 35m pint drop in beer sales

06-Nov-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Sales of beer in pubs have suffered a worrying drop, the worst performance in five years, for the third quarter of 2017.

WSTA calls on Government for on-trade help

13-Sep-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the Government to help the on-trade, as it revealed the average price of a 175ml glass of wine has increased by 21p compared to the same period last year.

Rum to break £1bn sales barrier this year

29-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Rum sales are expected to top the £1bn mark this year if current consumption trends continue, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has said.

WSTA calls for 2% wine and spirit duty cut

23-Jan-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut wine and spirit duty by 2%.

Spirits

Gin lovers to be hit by major price hike

25-Oct-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Spirits drinkers’ pockets are expected to be hit by an inflation-induced price hike, following a similar story for wine, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has warned.

Two percent cut in alcohol duty will support on-trade, WSTA claims

11-Feb-2016 By Ben Winstanley

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called for the Government to back British distilleries and vineyards with a 2% alcohol duty cut in the March Budget, a move they claim will support the growing demand for wine and spirits in the on-trade.

Pubs trading with 'illicit' wholesalers could face 'signficant penalties', HMRC warns

02-Sep-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Publicans who purchase stock from unregistered wholesalers could face “significant penalties” under new legislation designed to tackle alcohol duty fraud, HM Revenue & Customs has warned.

JDW reports positive outlook as like-for-like sales up

24-Jul-2013 By John Harrington

JD Wetherspoon says it expects to achieve a slightly better outcome for its current financial year than previously anticipated, as it reports a 3.5% rise in like-for-like sales in the 11 weeks to 14 July and an increase in operating margins.

The Sun joins scrap beer duty escalator fight

27-Feb-2013 By Gurjit Degun

National newspaper The Sun has joined the campaign the scrap the beer duty escalator.

Jubilee and Euros lift Wetherspoon's sales

11-Jul-2012 By John Harrington

JD Wetherspoon has reported a 6.1% rise in like-for-like sales in the 11 weeks to 8 July, helped by “strong trading” during the Jubilee and Euro 2012, and said it expects a “reasonable outcome” for the current financial year.

Pre-tax profits rise 7.5% for Theakston

23-May-2012 By John Harrington, M&C Report

Theakston, the North Yorkshire brewer, saw pre-tax profits rise 7.5% to £1.45m last year, despite seeing its duty bill increase to 48.3% of gross turnover.

Surrey pub landlord slams industry ‘apathy’ over beer duty escalator petition

11-May-2012 By Helen Gilbert

A licensee has blasted the sector for its “apathetic” attitude towards the industry petition calling for an end to the duty escalator.

Duty-bound to try again

29-Mar-2012 By Rob Willock

So, after the time and effort the industry expended trying to persuade the Government to halt the alcohol duty escalator, George Osborne dashed our hopes with a single sentence: “Today I have no further changes to make to the main duty rates set out by...