Drinks in the UK are set to become more expensive thanks to a new government system that will tax alcoholic drinks based on their strength.
The new system has been created with the intention of encouraging people to drink less but has received fierce criticism from hospitality groups who fear it will both fuel inflation and damage an already fragile industry.
The policy means that going forward wine in the UK will become more expensive as well as spirit mixers and cocktails, whilst champagne, sparkling wine and some low alcohol beer will become cheaper as a result.
Its introduction, however, comes at a time when the UK is experiencing record inflation in food and drink, with prices having hit a 45-year high of 19.2% in March 2023.
Current inflation on alcohol and tobacco products, meanwhile, was at 9.2 percent in June.
However, despite criticism, the government has pressed ahead with the tax measure – with the Prime Minister hailing Brexit for making it all possible as he made a photocall at a Richmond brewery on Tuesday.
Rishi Sunak called the overhaul “the most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over 140 years” and was insistent that hard-up businesses and consumers will benefit from the change.
The Prime Minister decided to break the news with a pint-pulling photo opportunity in a Richmond pub.
However, whilst Mr Sunak didn’t appear to have clocked the irony of the image it was soon pointed out to him by a heckler inside.
As he posed at Wensleydale brewery with a pint of Black Dub stout, an onlooker called out: “Prime minister, oh the irony that you’re raising alcohol duty on the day that you’re pulling a pint.”
The announcement about price hikes on Tuesday coincided with the end of the freeze on alcohol duty, first announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in March. As a result, alcohol prices are now set to increase with inflation at 10.1%.
The new tax measures mean that a bottle of wine will increase by 44p, but combined with VAT will mean consumers are paying an extra 53p per bottle.
The tax on gin and vodka bottles, meanwhile, will go up by around 90p, whilst duty on 18% cream sherry will go up by more than £1 and bottles of port are set to rise by more than £1.50.
At first glance, it appears there is some good news for beer drinkers who will see the duty cut by 11p a pint.
However, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), because brewers will be required to pay 10.1% more tax on bottles and cans from 1 August their prices could rise to reflect this increase – as that new tax will make up around 30% of the cost of a 500ml bottle.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The BBPA also said that the tax increase on packaged beer will add an extra £225 million of costs per year across the industry.
For Scotch Whisky, the cost is set to rise even more with Scotch Whisky Association director of strategy Graeme Littlejohn revealing the tax burden on an average bottle will rise to 75%.
He also said the move will leave distillers at a competitive disadvantage, stressing that “pubs and other on-trade businesses are about far more than beer and cider.”
Calling the 10.1% duty increase a ‘hammer blow for distillers and consumers’, he explained: “At a time when inflation has only just started to creep downwards, this tax increase will continue to fuel inflation and make it more difficult for the Scotch Whisky industry to invest in growth and job creation in Scotland and across the UK supply chain.
“Rather than choosing to back an industry which the UK government promised to support through the tax system, the government has chosen to impose the largest duty increase in almost half a century, increasing the cost of every bottle of Scotch Whisky sold in the UK by almost a pound and taking the tax burden on the average priced bottle to 75%.
“In a further blow, distillers will now face a further competitive disadvantage in pubs, restaurants and bars by being unfairly excluded from tax breaks available to beer and cider.
“Pubs and other on-trade businesses are about far more than beer and cider.”
The prime minister said: “I want to support the drinks and hospitality industries that are helping to grow the economy, and the consumers who enjoy the end result.
“Not only will today’s changes mean that that the price of your pint in the pub is protected, but it will also benefit thousands of businesses across the country.
“We have taken advantage of Brexit to simplify the duty system, to reduce the price of a pint, and to back British pubs.”
Featured image – The Manc Eats
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The first new tenant of the old Debenhams department store on Market Street has been confirmed
Danny Jones
The first new resident of the Rylands Building on Market Street in central Manchester has been revealed, and it’s a foodie one.
Set to be the maiden opening inside the old Debenhams department store, which closed after more than three decades back in 2021, Rylands’ debut won’t be for another year or so, but it will soon welcome Mancs with an increasingly popular food hall operator making its way up north.
Simply called Market Place, the ever-growing brand is fast becoming a well-established name, with four venues in the capital already and a fifth coming soon.
Rylands will be their first location outside of London, and with 1,300 sqm of space at their disposal, Market Place Manchester is set to make a significant splash on the high street.
A look at Market Place Peckham.A rough idea of what the Manchester branch could look like.
Developers managed to green-light plans for the Grade II-listed building last November, sharing the first details and glimpses of their vision for the instantly recognisable city centre spot, including a whole new rooftop terrace.
Currently earmarked for a late 2026 launch, the former department store (previously Paulden’s) consisted of seven floors but is now set for a four-storey extension that promises to be a massive and varied retail, leisure and business destination that makes the most of the expansive structure.
Not to be confused with the famous John Rylands Library – a much older, more gothic, historic and hallowed hall over on Deansgate – this task of ‘revitalising a Manchester icon’, to quote property firm AM ALPHA, is a huge undertaking.
In charge of the redevelopment since 2023, the group have been outlining a pretty complete overhaul, with plans to convert the upper floors into premium office space, and the creation of a retail arcade at ground level, on which Market Place Manchester will sit.
This particular Manc corner was a bustling food, drink and shopping complex for the longest time, but has been derelict and covered up by boards for what feels like forever, with urban explorers even roaming the large, abandoned building.
Credit: Supplied
Now, though, the new long-term 15-year lease agreement will see the latest food hall kick off a new era for Rylands, delivering socially focused venues and the range of flavourful, vibrant choices of scran that Market Place have become known for.
With sites in St Paul’s, Vauxhall, Peckham, Harrow and soon Baker Street – as well as their eventual Manchester outpost, of course – the chain is getting bigger and better, meaning its arrival in the North West is an exciting one.
AM ALPHA manager Paul Hodgkiss said in an official statement: “Manchester is a city with a vibrant cultural scene – the perfect environment for forward-thinking concepts like Market Place Food Hall…
“The early commitment to Rylands is no coincidence: it reflects the strength of our strategic and forward-looking approach to development. We are not just creating high-quality space – we are setting new standards for urban mixed-use concepts. Interest from further prospective tenants is strong.”
It was only last week that Greater Manchester’s latest market hall, Campfield Studios, said hello to the general public and with House of Social also opening this summer, among several other similar projects, soon you won’t be able to move for more social hospitality scenes like this:
Manchester crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known and loved for over anything else, it’s music.
From Oasis and Joy Division, to Happy Mondays, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The 1975, and even more modern-day acts, there’s no end to the amount of talented artists this city has produced or been home to over the years, all contributing to Manchester being one of the most prestigious music cities there is.
The city’s live music scene has always been thriving, and that continues right through to this very day, as you’ll see big-name musicians including Manchester as a destination in their UK tour schedules more often than not.
This summer is all set to be a sensational celebration of sound, as not only is an immersive art trail, Music for the Senses, taking over the city from this week, but this year’s annual Manchester Day will be music-themed too, marking one of the biggest years for Manchester music in a long time.
Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers / Credit: Manchester City Council | Eldhose Kuryian (via Unsplash)
Oh, and there’s also the small matter of Oasis reforming for a UK tour, including a run of gigs at Heaton Park this month.
So it’s no surprise that Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers, especially as the IFPI Global Music Report has revealed that the UK has the third largest music market globally – with the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy being £6.7 billion on average.
Taking this recent report into consideration, the experts over at SeatPick have collated data to uncover the best UK cities for music lovers, analysing factors such as the number of concerts, homegrown talents, music businesses, and the total number of music venues, to reveal each city’s overall music score out of 10.
Coming in at second place with a music scene score of 8.97/10 is Manchester.
2025 is all set to be a sensational summer of sound in our city / Credit: Supplied
“Manchester remains one of the UK’s most iconic music cities and with 1,204 concerts between 2025-2026, 116 live music venues, and 380 homegrown acts, the city’s live music offering is as strong as ever,” SeatPick said of its findings.
“2025 is shaping up to be a historic year for Manchester, with Oasis reuniting for the first time in over a decade, with a massive comeback show at Heaton Park – the very spot where they played their last hometown gig in 2009.”
While Manchester may have missed out on the UK’s top spot, with that title going to London, in the global rankings, our city has claimed an impressive sixth place, beating out New York’s influential music scene.
Liverpool and Leeds are two of the other northern cities in the UK’s top 10, taking fifth and sixth place respectively.
“Cities which have a larger number of music businesses are key in creating the perfect city for music fans, as this impacts the city’s cultural, economic, and social vibrancy,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO of SeatPick.
“A thriving music scene within a city means it can provide more artistic expression, support a wider range of genres, and enrich the cultural landscape, as well as attracting creative talent.”
Georgina Pellant -
2nd August 2023 
