Warning of wine and spirits shortage at Christmas

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Chippy_Tea

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There wont be a shortage at my house 23 litres of red on the go and 23 litres of Rose to follow ;)



Britain could face shortage of wine and spirits at Christmas, a drinks trade body has warned.
In a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said rising costs and supply chain chaos have held up deliveries.
Imports were now taking up to five times longer than a year ago, it said.
The letter was co-signed by 49 firms, including Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy and the Wine Society.
It said the sector has been badly affected by the HGV driver shortage crisis.
The letter said drinks businesses were still struggling, and further action was needed, particularly in the run up to Christmas - "a critical trading period for our sector".
"Unless urgent action is taken, we will fall deeper into delivery chaos," it added.
"Businesses like ours previously able to fulfil orders in two to three days now have to operate on a day one for day fifteen basis," the letter said.
In addition, businesses are reporting increased costs of around 7% - and often more - by freight forwarders to account for driver retention.
"This is particularly a concern for SMEs [small and medium sized enterprises] who are unable to compete with large businesses to attract drivers."
It said drivers and vehicles were "increasingly unpredictable" in their arrival times, which meant goods being either not ready or left waiting for collection.
It warned that being unable to fulfil orders on time would mean lost business and could ultimately lead to increased costs for consumers.
"Government needs to be doing all it can to ensure British business is not operating with one hand tied behind its back over the festive season and beyond," said Mike Beale, WSTA chief executive.
The WSTA called for the temporary visa scheme for HGV drivers to be extended for a year.
It also wants the government to act to help smooth congested freight routes from ports, and to provide more regular updates on how many HGV driver licences are being processed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has yet to respond.

'Unprecedented stress'
The warning from the drinks industry comes as food distributors warned MPs that consumers could face less food choice this Christmas because of supply chain issues.
Shane Brennan, head of the Cold Chain Federation, said suppliers were scaling back plans to ensure they can deliver.
The Cold Chain Federation represents firms involved in the storage and distribution of chilled and frozen products, including food.
"It's about reducing the amount of goods you're expected to put on the shelves," Mr Brennan said.

He made the comments on Wednesday morning to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into the road freight supply chain.
"We are very good at piling high and selling it cheap at Christmas time," he said.
"What we're having to do is strategically scale that back, in order to basically meet the promise that there will be the stuff you expect to see on the shelves, but not necessarily all the extras."
Mr Brennan said the unpredictability of the past two years had made it the toughest period in members' memories, adding that there was a lot of tiredness in the industry and problems with retention.
The supply chain is facing a number of pressures, such as drivers leaving the industry and difficulties recruiting new ones, border issues and delays with the movement of shipping containers.
Global shipping supplies are in "an unprecedented period of stress", Mr Brennan told the committee.
He said it was taking two or three days for fresh food arriving at UK ports to be delivered to stores, whereas this would normally happen on a same day or next day basis.
For frozen food, the timescale has increased from between one and three days to up to five and six days.
"We're seeing significant changes and having to re-plan on that basis," Mr Brennan said.
In September, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) boss Ian Wright warned that the UK was in for permanent food shortages.


He said: "The UK shopper and consumer could have previously expected just about any product they want to be on the [supermarket] shelf or in the restaurant all the time.
"That's over. And I don't think it's coming back."
According to the FDF, the food and drink industry is short of about half a million workers - or one in eight of the total workforce - which is leading to supply chain issues.
Several companies including supermarkets, pubs and restaurants have blamed a lack of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) lorry drivers for causing problems in their supply chains, including shortages of some products.
Lorry driver shortages have also been blamed on EU workers leaving the UK following Brexit as well as during the pandemic and tax changes making it more expensive for drivers from elsewhere in Europe to work or be employed in the UK.
Elizabeth de Jong, the director of policy at freight and haulage trade association Logistics UK, highlighted a lack of available lorry parking facilities as a key reason putting people off driving jobs.
She told the Transport Select Committee there had been evidence for years that there were far too few parking spaces, with people having to stay in their cabs at side of the road or on industrial estates, with no hygiene facilities.
Duncan Buchanan, policy director at the Road Haulage Association, told the committee that many people loved lorry driving, but it was often it was the conditions that made them leave.
However, Mr Buchanan added that the extent of the lorry driver shortage has started to ease.
"We are seeing improved throughput in tests. We had tests suspended. Since April there's been a real uptick in the throughput of people undertaking and passing tests.
"We reckon the shortage has probably fallen by about 15,000. Much of that is to do with improved test performance and improved retention. And these things when you talk about the driver shortage, everything is estimates based on intelligence we get, hard numbers are very difficult.
"But our estimate is we've come back 15,000. And that's substantial, over 6 months."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59399754
 
Is this just more scaremongering? Whatever. This country seems to lurch from one crisis to another, so much so, that every day is the same, with more DOOM and GLOOM. I really couldn't care less personally. Just get on with live and enjoy what you have -Oh, and stop reading the MSM, for your own sanity.
 
Is this just more scaremongering? Whatever. This country seems to lurch from one crisis to another, so much so, that every day is the same, with more DOOM and GLOOM. I really couldn't care less personally. Just get on with live and enjoy what you have -Oh, and stop reading the MSM, for your own sanity.
I don't think you're taking this seriously enough. Irishwizard. It's not bogrolls or petrol we're talking about here. it's not the failure of our staple foods or plagues of locusts or other trivia. We're talking about running out of booze! At Christmas! Get a sense of perspective, for heaven's sake!!! :laugh8:

(Only having a laugh)
 
I don't think you're taking this seriously enough. Irishwizard. It's not bogrolls or petrol we're talking about here. it's not the failure of our staple foods or plagues of locusts or other trivia. We're talking about running out of booze! At Christmas! Get a sense of perspective, for heaven's sake!!! :laugh8:

(Only having a laugh)
I just find Christmas and all the fake Bon Homie to be so shallow. Im not religious but find excess alcohol consumption on our biggest Holy day somewhat shallow. Isn't depression great - cheer me up!!
 
Is this just more scaremongering?

I don't think so -
"Businesses like ours previously able to fulfil orders in two to three days now have to operate on a day one for day fifteen basis," the letter said.
In addition, businesses are reporting increased costs of around 7% - and often more - by freight forwarders to account for driver retention.

This country seems to lurch from one crisis to another, so much so, that every day is the same, with more DOOM and GLOOM.

I cannot see that changing anytime soon.

Oh, and stop reading the MSM, for your own sanity.

What i don't get is why you continue to open threads you obviously don't like the look of then post "I really couldn't care less personally" when it was so obviously from the title description what the thread was about, may i suggest you stop reading threads like this for your sanity!
 
Is this just more scaremongering?

No - it's a real thing. I know a couple of wine merchants and all have been struggling with anything from the EU since Brexit came in, and are fretting about whether stock that would normally arrive in October, will make it before Christmas. I don't know this guy personally who has been sharing on social media the nitty-gritty of dealing with CHIEF etc, but I've heard similar stories from people I know :




 
I just find Christmas and all the fake Bon Homie to be so shallow. Im not religious but find excess alcohol consumption on our biggest Holy day somewhat shallow. Isn't depression great - cheer me up!!
Yeah, the dodgy American carols "Happy Holiday" in the shops. Repeats of Morecombe and Wise on Telly. No sprouts this year from Brussels, no turkeys from Byzantium, Richard Branson's no longer making his pickle! Happy Yule everyone. I'm religious and I shall be in an appropriate state of inebriation to keep the cold out of my old bones while I lollop around the Yulefire wearing nothing but snowshoes my rhinestone-bespangled codpiece and a pint mug (with a handle). Rejoice, Irishman. Happy times are almost upon us.

Depression. Don't talk to me about depression. I've met Marvin.
 
I don't think so -
"Businesses like ours previously able to fulfil orders in two to three days now have to operate on a day one for day fifteen basis," the letter said.
In addition, businesses are reporting increased costs of around 7% - and often more - by freight forwarders to account for driver retention.



I cannot see that changing anytime soon.



What i don't get is why you continue to open threads you obviously don't like the look of then post "I really couldn't care less personally" when it was so obviously from the title description what the thread was about, may i suggest you stop reading threads like this for your sanity!
Your just a wind up merchant - why dont you put your slippers on and sit by the fire
Im waiting for your post about drowning migrants next - come on your slow off the mark
Give it a rest - please - your just sooooo depressing
 
Your just a wind up merchant - why dont you put your slippers on and sit by the fire
Im waiting for your post about drowning migrants next - come on your slow off the mark
Give it a rest - please - your just sooooo depressing

Its called a discussion forum and as the stats below confirm members like to discuss topics in the news if you don't like reading the threads i post and find them depressing i suggest you show a little self control and stop opening them or block me then you wont be tempted to open them!

If you would like me to remove the snug from your list of forums so you see nothing from it give me a shout and i will make it so.

Oh and i am sat by (well close to) the fire it is winter after all ;)


sssssssss.jpg
 
If you were in my snug you would be chucked in the village pond. "Well its like this guys you know, its all gone weird" Thanks Neil. - Can you please post some more depressing content of speeding in Cumbria or cars wrapped around trees or cars with only 3 wheels - its all soo relevant - Strangely my mate in Kendal never emails me with this sort of content.
I may speak to the owners of this forum in order to have your negative impact on mental health and general negative demeanour removed. Im sure you will dream up some more excuses for you behaviour which is frankly rather shallow. But the good news, is your a moderator and always right.
 
So you have decided not to put me on your ignore list or to have the snug hidden from view.
I do hope you don't open any of my future depressing threads then comment in the manner you have in this one as I said show a little self controll and don't view my threads or put me on your ignore list, there is now no reason for you to take part in any future threads.

But the good news, is your a moderator and always right

So now we see the real reason for your rant why is my position here relevant to the thread, yes I am a moderator I am also a member if you can show me where I have seriously said I am always right I will show my ass in wellworths window!
 
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We used to have a saying "I will show my ass in Woolworths window" Woolworths is no more so wellworths is the new Woolworths.
 
No shortage at mine!!!
10 liters of silver award winning sherry
20 liters of wine expert rose
20 liters of wine expert chardonay
20 liters of wine expert neobolio
50 liters of kolsch
50 liters of stout
20 liters special stout
20 liters of festive stout

I break up on friday the 17th december. However my 40th is dec the 16th so i may stop early.

Im actually excited to have a go at some fancy not usual 20l brews over christmas. Put a bit of fun back in it. I always seem to brew round in circles depending on requirement
 
No shortage at mine!!!
10 liters of silver award winning sherry
20 liters of wine expert rose
20 liters of wine expert chardonay
20 liters of wine expert neobolio
50 liters of kolsch
50 liters of stout
20 liters special stout
20 liters of festive stout

I break up on friday the 17th december. However my 40th is dec the 16th so i may stop early.

Im actually excited to have a go at some fancy not usual 20l brews over christmas. Put a bit of fun back in it. I always seem to brew round in circles depending on requirement
10 litres of sherry...that's a trifle too much.
 
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