Leaders from across the drinks industry were at the OXO2 on London’s South Bank for the presentation of the Drinks Sustainability Awards.
Organisations large and small enter. What they have in common is a desire to do the right thing when it comes to the sustainability of the environment in which they operate. The awards are presented by Footprint and C&C Group plc.
Winners included:
Asahi UK, for the energy efficiency award; Hogs Back Brewery, highly commended for the sustainable use of raw materials award; Marstons, for the waste prevention and management award, and highly commended for the innovation in packaging award; Heineken UK, for the social impact award; Greene King, for the stakeholder engagement award; All Bar One, for the on-trade operator of the year award; Pubinno, for on-trade supplier of the year award.
• New figures show accommodation and food services insolvencies rose again, this time by 5% (up on the 4% rise last month) from 306 in June to 327 in July. This equals the highest monthly figure since November 2024. Year-on-year insolvencies were also up, from 323 in July 2024.
It also represented the third consecutive monthly rise — a milestone not surpassed since prior to the current data-set’s starting point in January 2022.
“The continued uptick in insolvencies is a worrying trend, but one we have been forecasting for several months now,” said Saxon Moseley, partner and head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK. “The leisure and hospitality sector has had a difficult year, with higher staff costs and rising inflation continuing to bare down on businesses already struggling with low consumer confidence.
“Many operators are now in survival mode. As a key creator of jobs, the sector is a cornerstone for the UK economy, and therefore a delicate hospitality industry presents an economic headache for the chancellor.
“Taking steps to overhaul the business rates system, as well as supporting the industry to respond to recent tax increases, would help alleviate pressure on operators, keep more businesses solvent, and, in turn, allow them to invest in jobs for the future.”
• Recent London Underground strikes saw bookings for the London hospitality industry drop by 67% compared to the previous week, according to Access Hospitality, analysing data from Design My Night.
Leighanne Bent, marketing manager at Access Hospitality, said: “The data paint a clear picture: when London’s transport network grinds to a halt, so does its social scene.
“Bars and restaurants rely heavily on footfall and last-minute bookings, both of which were severely impacted.”
• Volumes at Brewhouse and Kitchen, the national brewpub chain, rose by 8% in the last six month, chief executive Kris Gumbrell has told hospitality publication Propel.
Speaking during Cask Ale Week, he said: “When we first started the business, we exclusively brewed cask ale. Naturally, we have moved with the times, and we brew an awful lot of keg beer now, too.
“However, we are very proud to have cut our teeth on brewing many award-winning cask ales and will always be committed to growing cask as a category — and it’s great to see our numbers reflect that.”
