Beverages

The latest news and updates on beverages, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.

Apr- 2018 -

9 April

Bestway acquires Conviviality retail brands

Bestway Wholesale has completed the purchase of Conviviality’s retail brands, in a deal closed at 11.56pm on Friday (6 April). In the £7m deal, the wholesaler acquired the Bargain Booze, Wine Rack, Select Convenience and WS Retail chains, saving 2,000 jobs. Matthew Callaghan, partner at PwC, said: “This deal safeguards…
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6 April

Bestways poised to purchase retail arm of Conviviality

Cash and carry wholesaler Bestway is set to announce its plan to purchase Conviviality’s retail chains, which includes Bargain Booze. According to reports Bestway, run by Zameer Choudrey, is thought to have paid roughly £7.5m for the Conviviality businesses. The deal will secure roughly 2,000 jobs and will bring the…
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5 April

Tanqueray launches gin made from Seville oranges

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla is the newest addition to the gin manufacturer’s portfolio, made with oranges from the Spanish city of Seville. The new blend pays homage to Tanqueray’s roots, when founder Charles Tanqueray used the world-famous citrus fruit in his original 1830s recipes. The gin profile is sweet and…
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5 April

Conviviality goes into administration

Drinks retailer and wholesaler Conviviality has filed for administration just a day after selling its wholesale business. Administrators PwC released a statement which read: “Matthew Callaghan, Ian Green and David Baxendale of PwC have today been appointed as joint administrators to Conviviality Plc. “Conviviality Plc continues to engage with parties…
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5 April

Magners cider owner buys Conviviality wholesale division

The owner of Magners cider, C&C, has completed a deal to acquire Conviviality’s wholesale distributors. The beverage supplier and retailer has sold its Bibendum and Matthew Clark brands, with the support of brewer AB InBev. C&C was in early morning talks with Conviviality on 4 April, and by the end…
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3 April

UFO cocktail bar pop up concept seeks crowdfunding

24 hour cocktail delivery service, Spartans CocktailTaxi, is seeking crowdfunding for a ‘unique and innovative’ pop up cocktail bar concept that it is developing. Describing the concept as where “space meets the earth”, “design meets technology” and “imagination meets reality” the company is working on a mobile cocktail bar designed…
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3 April

Conviviality may face legal action from investors

Investors in Conviviality are considering the possibility of legal action against the board of the company amid claims they were misled over its financial health. According to The Times, the rapid demise of the drinks retailer and supplier has provoked suspicions about when the board first had concerns over its…
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Mar- 2018 -

29 March

Conviviality administration announcement puts 2500 jobs in danger

Bargain Booze owner and drinks supplier Conviviality has announced plans to file for administration within the next two weeks, after failing to secure a proposed £125m fundraising bid to avert bankruptcy. The unexpected £30m tax bill led to a suspension of the wholesaler’s shares on the junior market and the…
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26 March

Craft beers fail to impress consumers

Consumers feel bombarded by multiple craft launches and unusual flavours, claims new research. According to GlobalData, alcoholic beverage consumers feel that they are overloaded with choice. The news that more than half (57%) of beer and cider consumers in Asia-Pacific (APAC) find new experiences more exciting than new products also…
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20 March

Conviviality CEO resigns amid £30m tax bombshell

Conviviality has announced its CEO Diana Hunter has stepped down with immediate effect as its struggles stay afloat following the late discovery of a £30m tax bill. In a statement the off-licence retailer said Hunter will remain with the company for a period to provide transition support, and non-executive chairman…
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