Frazer Matthews

Another year of double digit growth for Kent wine producer 🍷📈 Gusbourne, the premium English sparkling wine producer, has announced another year of good progress, reporting a 16.5 per cent increase in UK wine sales growth, net revenue up by 13 per cent compared to the previous period, gross profit up by 30 per cent to £4.1 million and gross margin improving to more than 68 per cent. With the ongoing expansion of the Appledore, Kent's international presence and global appetite for English fine wine increasing, Gusbourne is now in 35 international markets, and expects the year ahead to see it benefit from increased supply and inventory, following the harvesting of its biggest yield to date last year. Gusbourne has also seen ongoing success in international and UK wine competitions with an impressive number of awards for its wines, including gold medals and trophies. Since the year end, Gusbourne has been awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise for International Trade Export. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/engd5a38 #winery #vineyard #wine #drinks #growth #businessgrowth #finance #funding #investing #announcement #businessnews #businessintelligence

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Year-on-year inflation fell to 4.6% in May, revealing more positive trends for the hospitality sector, according to CGA by NIQ and Prestige Purchasing https://lnkd.in/eX8MZ6qx

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Kent-based winery Chapel Down Group abandons sale plan 🍷🪙 Chapel Down, the Kent-based wine producer, has revealed it expects its 2024 harvest to be below its forecast and has abandoned plans for a sale of the company. In an update, the AIM-quoted company said it expects its full year net sales revenue to be a low, single digit decline from the previous year. Chapel Down said it was the largest brand in English wine with 42% awareness, 16% penetration and a social media following of more than 120,000. It has 1,024 planted acres of vineyards, which is around 10% of the UK's total. In late June this year, the company had said it was mulling a sale as part of a strategic review into funding options for its growth plans, which included new vineyards and a purpose built winery. Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/epXP86BN #winery #alcohol #drinks #sales #finance #forecast #kentnews #kenthour #businessnews #businessintelligence

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Hal Wilson co-founder of Cambridge Wine Merchants has long been a strong lobbying voice for the independent wine merchants and the wider wine industry on the dangers of the new duty system. Here he looks back on an 'emotional' year & sets out how he's tackling the duty changes & what he sees as growth areas in 2025 on The Buyer https://lnkd.in/e866Cv2T #wine #winemerchants #winebuyers #alcoholduty #wineindustry #drinksindustry Miles Beale The Wine and Spirit Trade Association UKHospitality

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‘Exceptional harvest’ boosts revenues 15 per cent at Kent’s Chapel Down Group winery 🍷📈 Chapel Down has hailed an ‘exceptional harvest’, posting net sales revenues of £17.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 – up 15 per cent on the previous year. The Kent winery saw particular growth in its brand-defining traditional method sparkling (TMS) wines, selling 887,000 bottles to boost revenues 25 per cent. It also celebrated the ‘continued premiumisation’ of the brand, with Chapel Down’s average selling price up 13 per cent for 2023. The business closed out the year with a successful listing on AIM last December. It’s now looking to the future with the planting of the Boxley Abbey vineyard on the North Downs of Kent, growing its area share of UK planted vineyards to almost 10 per cent – with plans also to begin planting at Buckwell this spring. Andrew Carter, CEO of Chapel Down, said... Continue reading... https://lnkd.in/eAX7sg8C #winery #winemaker #manufacturing #drinks #finance #revenue #growth #investing #boost #harvest #argi #businessnews #businessintelligence

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Majestic Wine, Laithwaites Wine, The Wine Society and Cambridge Wine Merchants are amongst the wine businesses who today launched a poster campaign and will be contacting their extensive customer bases to warn that price hikes are coming down the line. Thousands of wine drinkers are being forewarned that from 1 February 2025, wine tax will be further complicated, adding a huge administrative burden for British businesses – especially small retailers - which will lead to another round of price increases. The new Government has the opportunity to commit to keeping the easement at the budget on 30 October. The HM Treasury has the opportunity to avoid the additional unnecessary and costly red tape by committing to keeping the easement at the budget on 30 October. It won’t cost Government anything, but it will support British business by promoting conditions for growth and protect British consumers by keeping prices stable. #WineEasement #WSTA Averys Wine Cellars

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Meet our Senior Commercial Controller Julian Smith in the latest issue of Cash and Carry Management! In the spotlight Julian shares his interests, achievements and how he got into the industry. Read the article below.

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Wed 13th Nov 2024 - Propel Wednesday News Briefing. Quarter of independent pubs set to fail following ‘devastating’ Budget: The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has warned a quarter of independent pubs are set to fail following a “devastating” Budget. A new survey of BII members shows the new costs of employment and increases in business rates will render 80% unprofitable, leading to at least one in four pubs closing. It said 75% will cut staff hours, 40% will reduce opening hours and a third will make staff redundant. BII chief executive Steve Alton said: “The chancellor’s Budget is devastating for our members, their teams, their pubs and their communities. Ahead of the Budget, it was clear that many pubs were unprofitable through exceptional costs of doing business, with ongoing high energy costs, embedded high inflation in food and drink costs as well as spiraling employment costs alongside repaying covid-debts. The government’s response has been to ask these small, fragile pub businesses to pay additional taxes, which for many is 10% of their current turnover in new costs. The personal distress this has caused to long-standing publicans is palpable through the surge in calls to our professional helplines. The government’s actions will reduce employment, investment and cause unnecessary business failure.” Alton said those pubs that are able to carry on will have to raise prices, with 84% saying they will do so. He added: “Our members are small businesses, with the majority employing less than 50 people and half with an annual turnover of less than £500,000. They do not have the resilience to ‘suck it up’ and need rapid action from government before it is too late.” The BII is calling on the chancellor to reverse the planned increases of national insurance contributions and change in threshold for part-time workers, alongside reinstating the business rates relief at 75%. Like Comment Send Share

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“Celebrating Scotland’s Iconic Scotch Whisky Industry” was the subject of The Scottish Government business at Parliament yesterday afternoon 🥃 Worth a listen with a dram, Parliament welcomed the reported £7.1 billion each year that is contributed in added value to the UK economy by the Scotch whisky industry through the production of high-quality and internationally successful brands, which are sold to 180 markets around the world; noting that 75% of the Scotch whisky industry's gross value added (GVA) is generated in Scotland, supporting 41,000 jobs and a further 25,000 across the UK; welcoming the over £2 billion of investments that have reportedly been made by the industry over the last five years; recognising that the Scotch whisky industry plays a crucial role in Scotland’s ambition to grow its exports, in attracting visitors from overseas to its world-leading visitor experiences, and in decarbonising operations in order to achieve net zero by 2045, and wished everyone involved in Scotland’s iconic Scotch whisky industry continued success as, it considers, they continue to play an integral role in communities throughout Scotland. https://lnkd.in/evYAkb8n

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Cooks Coffee Company, owner of the Esquires brand, has reported UK sales for the seven weeks to 17 November were up 39.4% and by 17.9% in Ireland as the group maintained the momentum seen over the past six months and seen a return to profitability. The company stated: "Store sales trends have been very positive in recent times, with the company benefiting from the 'working from home' trend, which we are confident will remain in one form or another as a permanent change in consumer behaviour." 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

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Heineken is set to refurbish and reopen 62 pubs that have been closed in recent years. This project, a part of their Star Pubs chain, is set to create over 1,000 new jobs. The UK pub industry took a brutal hit due to COVID and the aftereffects of the pandemic, like cost of living and spending habits. Pubs were forced to close during the pandemic, and many could not reopen afterward. Five hundred pubs across the UK have been shut down each year for the past two years. The overall plan is to renovate over 600 pubs to make them places where locals want to spend their time and money. By the end of 2024, Star Pubs will have reopened 156 pubs since the beginning of 2023. This is the latest indication that the British Pub Industry is getting back to pre-Covid times. #TheSocialTalks #Heineken #NewPubs #UKPubs

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Not having a branded beer for your restaurant, hotel, resort or event venue is a HUGE lost opportunity! I’m meeting quite a few restaurant owners / managers as well as people running high end resorts and not many of them has a branded house beer which is a great pity. First of all, your customers LOVE to have a drink product branded to you. Our customer Juho Saralehto told that he sells their house beer to almost every customer before they even order their menu and drink pairings. It’s not only a pure margin upside but it gives the customer your brand in a physical form which is powerful way to leave a mark. Other big driver is that when your customers post in social media, read Instagram, about their experience in your restaurant/resort, they want to include your logo and brand in the picture (let’s be honest, your place is HOT so it’s value for THEM) and not many restaurant have their logo in an easy place to have in your customer’s food or drink pic. Our way of helping restaurants to do this is to have six standard flavors created for food-pairing that we can re-brand for your restaurant without starting fee or minimum commitment. You can buy a case and see how your customers like it. Our newest customer for house beer is Dagmar Bistro & Wine Bar where I just delivered their first beers this week. And the reaction from Annamari (🥲🥲) told that we are on point with the branded beer approach 😊🍻 So if you don’t buy branded beer to your restaurant from us, buy it from the next craft brewery close to you! #dogood #dogoodbrew #brandedbeer #housebeer #beerpairing #branding #marketing

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𝗚𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 (Congrats to Gemma Standeven!!) 😍 England-based craft vodka company Gattertop Drinks Company has been awarded B Corp status after achieving an assessment score of 81.9. Gattertop Drinks’ portfolio includes two vodka expressions and a damson vodka liqueur The independent drinks brand, which is located in Herefordshire, has been recognised for ‘meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency’. Gemma Standeven, founder of Gattertop Drinks, said: “It has been a lengthy and rigorous process, but we are so proud to say we are now B Corp. “Being part of this community of visionary companies is truly exciting, as we all strive to use our businesses as a force for good, putting people and our planet on equal footing with profit.” Based on the B Impact assessment, Gattertop Drinks earned an overall score of 81.9. The median score for ordinary businesses that complete the assessment is currently 50.9. “The B Corp process, while challenging, has been incredibly rewarding,” Standeven added. “It delved deep into every aspect of our business, demanding a higher standard of social and environmental responsibility. Scoring 81.9 points is a remarkable achievement for us, especially as a small business. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team.” Gattertop Drinks was founded to raise awareness about the English countryside Gattertop’s range of British spirits includes Damson No12 Damson Vodka, and Botanic No7 Botanical Vodka, both of which were awarded Silver medals in The Vodka Masters 2024. Both are crafted from single estate-sourced orchard fruits and botanicals that have been harvested from the farm in Herefordshire. This is said to capture the ‘essence of the English countryside’ and reflects the brand’s commitment to ‘preserving its majestic landscapes’. Gattertop Drinks’ dedication to orchard preservation is further highlighted by its commitment to donate 1% of company net sales to the 1% for the Planet Partnership, supporting ongoing efforts in conservation and environmental responsibility. Standeven added: “My initial inspiration for Gattertop Drinks was not only my passion for vodka but also to raise awareness about the English countryside, particularly our cherished orchards. “We are honoured to be part of the B Corp movement, which is a powerful advocate for a better world. We hope to inspire other businesses, including those in the spirits industry, to embark on a similar journey.” Helen Boyle Adam Thomas

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Good timing on this article - I have spoken with my MP Katie White OBE MP about the pressures hospitality faces the week, and I made particular reference to the business rate relief that is set to end in April. As it stands, we would likely have to cut a job at the brewery if the rate relief is abolished - we simply can’t afford to absorb any more increases in costs. Personally, I think we would add more to the local economy by employing an extra person that we would by paying their wages on business rates. I also suspect some businesses will actually close from an increase in business rates, normally with a statement like this from a leader of a large pub group I would suspect hyperbole but it isn’t this case this time. I normally take Budgets in my stride but this one is definitely causing a lot of nerves. https://lnkd.in/esNNvs-u

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Hive Pubs Receives Sustainability Champion Status From BII Hive Pubs, the pub franchise concept from Greene King Pub Partners, has received Sustainability Champion status from the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII). Greene King Pub Partner’s first franchise concept, Hive Pubs was launched in 2021 and has grown to 51 pubs in under three years. In order to achieve Sustainability Champion status, pubs and brands need to be able to evidence active commitments to projects within energy reduction, waste reduction and sustainable procurement. As a franchise pub model, all Hive Pubs franchisees benefit from Greene King’s support and expertise to run more sustainable pub businesses. As such, each new Hive Pub when opened has LED Lighting, Timers and Fridge Manager installed as standard to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions. Likewise, all Hive Pubs benefit from being part of Greene King’s wider electricity contract, which balances electricity usage with equivalent amounts generated renewably. This means that when a franchisee gets the keys to their pub, they have a strong foundation for operating their pub in a sustainable way. Franchisees can then build on this foundation with additional support from Greene King Pub Partners by working with their Business Development Manager and the wider Greene King team. To help franchisees identify areas where they can take further action to make their Hive pub business more sustainable, Greene King Pub Partners also provides all Hive Pub franchisees with access to the Zero Carbon Forum’s carbon calculator, which enables them to measure and evaluate their emissions. A Hive Pubs franchise agreement offers licensees a ready-to-trade pub within a proven branded concept for just £5,000 ingoing cost. Franchisees can expect a minimum guaranteed income of £20,000 and they also get a percentage of food and drink sales. On top of this, they get a share of the profits in their pub and can earn a bonus as well. Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: “We’re very pleased to see Hive Pubs receive Sustainability Champion status from the BII. This achievement would not be possible without our exceptional franchisees who play such an important role in the communities they serve. “Our franchise offer is proving very popular with those who want to step up from management to run their own pub business. By helping our franchisees run pubs more sustainably at the heart of their communities, we’re enabling them to run a better pub business.” Steve Alton, Chief Executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: “When we launched our Sustainability Champion Awards in 2023, we wanted to showcase the brilliant ways in which pubs are adapting their businesses to ensure they are sustainable for the future. “Customers and teams in pubs across the UK are placing more and more importance on businesses that care about local communities and the environmental impacts they have, so I am delighted…

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Although I lack expertise in carbon calculation, I know that a mere 15% of all plastic produced globally since the 1950s has been recycled or repurposed, leaving the vast majority accumulating in landfills or our ocean. While a circular economy model aims to improve efficiency by reusing packaging materials, it faces significant challenges. Glass, on the other hand, offers a straightforward recycling process. The high costs of recycling plastic components deter companies, including recycling firms, from engaging in such efforts. Consequently, as a certified sustainable wine brand, The Hidden Sea has chosen to utilise traditional glass bottles. This decision aligns with our clear and measurable consumer promise: each bottle of The Hidden Sea wine purchased facilitates the removal and recycling of the equivalent of 10 single-use plastic bottles from the ocean.

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