The Bottle Shop has called in the administrators and made all employees redundant after sales dipped “well under forecast” during the winter trading period. Andrew Morgan founded the business as a concession at a farmers’ market in Kent back in 2010.  It developed into a small chain of independent beer merchants, with stores in London, Canterbury and Margate. Optimism and ambition abounded after it raised…

Burton MP Andrew Griffiths is stepping down as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group following his appointment as a member of the Government Whips’ Office.  Parliamentary rules mean members of the Government are not allowed to chair All-Party Groups.  Griffiths, who has been chairman of the Beer Group for five years, said: “It has been a huge honour and a privilege to represent one…

Bargain Booze owner Conviviality Retail will expand its food range after hiring Spar’s head of fresh food Andrew Dorricott to head up its non-licensed products team. The retailer said Dorricott has been brought in to boost its offering in the fresh, chilled and frozen food categories. He will be responsible for food in Bargain Booze, Thorougoods, Select Convenience and Wine Rack stores. Dorricott, who previously…

My first sales director always asked me this critical question. Never was the question more appropriate than with trade shows. For visitors, trade shows are great. An opportunity to see what the market innovations might be, what the competition is up to, to be seen, and to catch up with old friends and colleagues over a drink, reflect on the old times and bitch about…

The managing director of Mentzendorff has urged retailers not to be panicked into dropping the top ends of their wine ranges as the consumer purse continues to tighten. Andrew Hawes acknowledges there is a “big temptation” to ditch your fine wine offering as UK drinkers are drinking less wine. But he told OLN: “It is a mistake to think that in terms of range decisions…