AGP Executive Report

Soho Licensing Row: Mayor Sadiq Khan hits back at Westminster council over plans in its cumulative impact zone that would make new venues harder to open unless they prioritise seated customers, after 81% of consultation respondents opposed the rules. Air Travel Fallout for Foodies: UK airport chaos from a Nats air-traffic system failure has left more than 330,000 passengers disrupted and over 2,000 flights cancelled, with the Civil Aviation Authority saying compensation is “unlikely” under “extraordinary circumstances” rules; travellers also report lost luggage and nights on the floor at Heathrow. Meat Industry Expansion: North of England sausage maker Heck brings in Wakefield engineering consultancy H.J Consulting Engineers for a major 17,500 sq ft extension to add frozen lines next year. Local Growth & Hospitality: Taylor Wimpey West Scotland opens show homes at Bargeddie’s Manse View (Sept 19-20) with cake and hot drinks for visitors, while Grupo Bimbo flags regenerative agriculture progress across the UK and other markets. Food Safety Watch: Dog supplement brand Fi recalls two products after possible Salmonella contamination. Farming Pressure: NFU urges government crisis loans and homegrown food targets as drought, bluetongue and rising costs squeeze UK production.

Aviation chaos hits food supply chains: A NATS air-traffic control technical fault has triggered major UK airport disruption, with 1,300 flights cancelled on Tuesday and 177 more axed on Wednesday (mostly Heathrow), leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and airlines warning of knock-on delays. Health & drink guidance: A major UK study links very hot tea and coffee to a higher risk of oesophageal cancer, with advice to let drinks cool before drinking. Food inflation squeeze: The Food and Drink Federation warns grocery costs will keep climbing, with a £100 shop rising to £147.50 by July next year as energy, climate disruption and packaging/recycling rules bite. Festive shelf returns: Cadbury’s Winter Mint Crisp is back in UK supermarkets, alongside other early Christmas launches. Local food culture: Leamington’s Food and Drink Festival returns this weekend with around 120 exhibitors and live cookery demos. Trade pressure: The US moves to ban Canadian dairy and alcohol imports, raising the stakes for cross-border food and drink pricing.

Food Awards Spotlight: The British Kebab Awards has named around 500 independent restaurants and takeaways as semi-finalists across 22 categories, with multiple Cambridgeshire venues making the cut and voting now open ahead of finals announced 15 Oct 2026. Brand & Packaging Buzz: Diageo is extending Johnnie Walker’s tie-up with Sabrina Carpenter into a limited-edition Black Label bottle for Great Britain, with wider distribution planned. Travel Disruption (Consumer Impact): A NATS technical fault triggered widespread UK airport delays and cancellations, including Heathrow and Gatwick, with NATS saying a fix is in place but recovery will take time; passengers are urged to check airline updates and claim entitlements where delays meet the rules. Food Security Watch: The UK government says there’s “no current evidence” El Niño will cause UK food security problems, despite warnings of more extreme weather. Health & Nutrition Angle: A new study suggests a cancer-developed compound could help tackle osteoporosis and midlife weight gain, while separate reporting flags vitamin D as a key autumn concern for children.

Retail Watch: UK retail sales growth slowed to a four-month low in August as shoppers cut back on discretionary spend, with food sales still the standout (+2.6% year on year) but easing momentum. Food Prices & Supply: England’s worst harvest on record is raising fears for bread and other staples as drought hits milling wheat and other crops, with knock-on pressure expected for food prices. Beverage & Brands: Turbo Tango, the aerosol soft drink cult classic, is returning to UK shelves after 15 years. Fast Food Expansion: Jersey Mike’s, the US sandwich chain dubbed “better than Subway”, is set to launch its first UK sites this autumn. Hospitality Restructuring: Wetherspoon’s new New Forest pub opens today, while Whitbread’s Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closures continue across the UK, with major job impacts. Northern Ireland Coffee Investment: Barista Bar (Henderson Foodservice) is investing £12m in new self-service machines, rolling out from 21 September. Food Safety & Labels: India’s food-safety crackdown highlights misleading labelling and hygiene lapses, raising broader questions about packaged-food transparency.

Dairy Decarbonisation: Barry Callebaut has teamed up with Arla Foods on a three-year farm-level programme to cut emissions tied to UK skimmed milk powder, using farm emissions data and incentive payments to support progress on Scope 3 targets. Alcohol-Free Retail Push: Asahi UK is rolling out its “Fixture of the Future” vision to help retailers grow the alcohol-free beer category, arguing current displays and ranging are holding back shoppers as non-alc beer sales are forecast to double by 2030. Pub & Restaurant Reshuffle: Brewers Fayre is shutting all 89 UK restaurants, with Wales and Scotland hit hardest, including nine permanent closures in Wales and eight sites closing in Scotland—though carveries and food will continue for Premier Inn guests at some locations. Wine Relaunch: Blue Nun is being relaunched in the UK with lower-ABV expressions and a refreshed, more “approachable” brand push aimed at both nostalgic drinkers and new customers. Food Safety & Nutrition Watch: A University of Glasgow study flags sugar concerns in baby food pouches, finding many contain more sugar than breastmilk and are often low in protein, prompting calls for tougher standards. New Openings: Chef Surjan Singh is set to open Kasi in late October, blending open-fire Indian cooking with seasonal British produce.

El Niño Food-Supply Warning: UK weather agencies and ministers are urging households to stock up as El Niño is forecast to bring wetter, stormier conditions and disruption that could ripple into UK food availability and prices. Hard-Water Myth-Busting: A consumer health explainer questions whether hard water truly damages hair, noting mineral build-up may affect feel and appearance more than proven harm. Retail & Eating Out Moves: Aldi confirms new store openings in September, while Whitbread is closing Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites this week as it pivots to an integrated food-and-beverage model. Packaging Policy Update: Andy Burnham’s government confirms a delayed bottle deposit return scheme for 2027, with coverage for certain PET, steel and aluminium containers (glass excluded initially). Influencer Advertising Rules (NI): Northern Ireland restaurants are being warned about paying influencers for positive reviews, with the ASA saying paid-for praise must be treated as advertising. Food Safety Watch: Updates continue on the UK salmonella situation, with health chiefs urging people to check specific guidance. Community & Hospitality Pressure: Wales’ hospitality sector is calling for long-term investment beyond a summer boost as costs bite.

Food & Drink Innovation: A King’s College London study reports a gut-bacteria compound (urolithin A) from pomegranates and walnuts could improve heart function in hard-to-treat heart failure models, though human trials are still needed. Restaurant & Hospitality: London’s The Ned is reviving a Michelin-star BBQ partnership with InterStellar for a limited run, while Glasgow’s CrowdedHouse rolls out a seasonal menu built around Yorkshire meat and warming British flavours. Retail & Value: Starbucks’ UK Rewards changes from 3 September mean customers need 20 more stars to redeem the cheapest free drinks, prompting advice to use points now. High Street & Local Food: Greggs brings back its Steak & Stilton Bake after seven years, backed by a “Stilton Claims” swap offer. Community Food Support: Tameside’s Bread and Butter Thing marks 10 years of food redistribution, supporting 100,000+ households via weekly hubs. Policy & Farming: Defra launches a call for evidence on gamebird shooting, weighing impacts on wildlife, environment and animal welfare. Climate & Nature: NatureScot reports puffin numbers at the Isle of May down ~30% in two years amid storms and marine heatwaves.

Food security alert: UK households are being urged to stockpile a three-day reserve of food and drinking water as El Niño-linked extreme weather risks rise, with guidance also covering torches and batteries. UK food provenance push: Nestlé UK & Ireland launches a 500-mile “Taste Trail” with ultra-runner Rob Pope to spotlight farms and factories behind supermarket products, after research found many shoppers rarely think about where food comes from. Retail and supply pressures: Summer heat is already reshaping trade—ice cream sellers report customers switching to water, while some dairies say hot, dry conditions hit milk volumes. Drink trends: Pernod Ricard is leaning into the spritz boom, reporting growth for Lillet as aperitif rivals challenge Aperol’s dominance. Local enforcement: Birmingham’s “Corporation Court” round-up highlights food safety and trading standards action, including fines tied to hygiene and underage alcohol sales. Practical kitchen tip: A simple storage tweak—keeping cut carrots and celery submerged in cold water in the fridge—is said to help them stay crisp for weeks. Community food support: A charity drive in Northern Ireland and local campaigns are pushing back against food insecurity, including food bank fundraising and resilience efforts.

Food Security & Climate Risk: England’s water and wider food-supply resilience is under strain as heatwaves, drought and wildfire impacts expose weak planning, with calls for stronger safeguarding of water supplies and better preparation for shocks. El Niño Fallout: Ministers and forecasters warn households to stock up ahead of “largest since the 19th century” El Niño conditions, raising fears of disruption and shortages. Health & Safety (Food/Water): An 8-year-old in Dorset was hospitalised after a beach trip linked to pollution concerns, with suspected Campylobacter infection tied to swallowing seawater; separate reports also flag E. coli risks after a spike in local waters. Provenance & Farming in Focus: Hawkstone and Wildfarmed launch Hawkstone Wildthing Lager at scale via Tesco and pubs, spotlighting regenerative farming and British ingredients. Local Food & Drink Culture: Newcastle’s New Greek expands to a prime city-centre spot opposite Central Station, while North East food festivals keep rolling with Tynemouth’s 2026 event drawing crowds for street food, markets and family activities. Prison Food Skills: HMP Northumberland’s Oswin Project bakery expands with new facilities to train more inmates in food safety and baking. Retail & Hospitality Reality Check: A North East fish and chip shop cancelled an abusive customer’s order after an online note demanded “fresh” chips and criticised staff. Beer & Events: Spirit of Speyside Distilled returns to Elgin with more than 20 producers, including whisky, gin and beer.

Local Openings & Charity Retail: Birmingham’s Reloved Brum store is launching Mello Cafe in Harborne, with coffees £2 on opening day (Sept 8) and proceeds to Birmingham Hospice. Market Food & Independent Makers: Bradford’s Darley Street Market welcomes Kneads Must Pies, an artisan pie shop inside the Street Kitchen with pork, corned beef & tattie, lentil curry and rotating specials. Hospitality Under Pressure: Celebrity chef James Martin says the cost of operating restaurants is “getting bloody hard”, urging support for independents as costs keep spiralling. Food Safety Recalls: The Food Standards Agency recall round-up flags new “do not eat” style alerts, including a Waitrose rhubarb crumble recalled over undeclared oats/gluten. Retail & Local Dairy: Tesco Northern Ireland expands its local range with Drayne’s Farm ice cream, rolling out Madagascan vanilla and honeycomb crunch to major stores. Food Waste Services: South Norfolk’s food waste caddy rollout is delayed until November due to driver shortages and vehicle delivery issues, affecting 40,000 households. Work & Pay in Food Delivery: Edinburgh riders say AI-driven platform “black boxes” are cutting pay and worsening conditions as Deliveroo/Uber Eats/Just Eat increase automation. Dining Out Value: A London waterside brasserie (Browns Brasserie & Bar) is promoted for three courses under £35 at West India Quay. Beer & Sport Business: Women’s Super League growth is linked to bigger crowds and matchday spend, with alcohol sales flagged as a potential revenue boost.

Food security & resilience: The National Audit Office warns Defra hasn’t done enough to help households, communities and businesses prepare for food-supply shocks, as risks from extreme weather, disease and cyber-attacks grow. Retail & pricing pressure: UK shop price inflation hits a two-year high, adding to cost-of-living strain. Baby formula scrutiny: Kendamil’s parent Kendal Nutricare has been ordered to drop health claims after a watchdog found they weren’t backed by scientific evidence. Food safety: Salmonella cases linked to imported eggs continue to rise, with health chiefs urging people to check what they eat. Dairy & sustainability: Barry Callebaut launches its first three-year dairy partnership with Arla, starting with UK skimmed milk powder, to cut emissions via farm-level data. Animal health: Bluetongue is confirmed in a heifer in Wexford, with vaccination urged for unvaccinated herds. Local food & hospitality: Greggs explains why many pastries are served lukewarm/cool to avoid VAT “pastry tax” and keep prices down. Industry investment: AAK secures £2m to expand its Hull plant oils refinery, supporting food-industry supply chains.

Food Security Prep: Environment Secretary Angela Eagle urged Britons to stockpile essentials ahead of what the Met Office calls the largest El Niño since the 19th century, warning of wetter, stormier conditions and disruption risk. Watchdog Warning: The National Audit Office says Defra hasn’t done enough to get households and industry planning for shocks, as climate and cyber threats rise and the UK relies on imports for over a third of food. Food Banks Debate: On National Food Bank Day, one volunteer-led group says “food bank-free” models are the goal, shifting from shame-based parcels to community cafes and choice-based support. Dairy Decarbonisation: Barry Callebaut and Arla launched a three-year FarmAhead partnership linking UK skimmed milk powder volumes to farm carbon data, with incentives for emissions-reducing practices. Allergy Recall: Tesco recalled Finest Caesar & Smoked Bacon Coleslaw packs that may contain mustard-free potato salad, warning of risk for mustard-allergy customers. Salmonella Outbreak Update: Health chiefs reported salmonella cases topping 500, with millions urged to check an egg-related issue. Local Food Events: Nantwich Food Festival returns as a free, volunteer-run draw with 200+ exhibitors and celebrity cooks.

Community Fundraising: A Wales pub group is backing local food banks with “Heroes of Hunger”, donating 5p from every pint of Carling sold across participating venues in September, with last year’s total topping £15,000. School Food Support: Sainsbury’s is putting £1.5m into school breakfast clubs and food pantries for the new term, including £500,000 each for Magic Breakfast and Rethink Food via its Comic Relief partnership, plus extra support for the DfE free breakfast clubs programme. Food Safety Recall: Waitrose has issued an urgent recall of its Rhubarb Crumble (500g, use-by 19 August 2026) because oats (gluten) are not declared on the label, affecting people with gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. Industry & Innovation: C.H. Guenther has opened a Centre of Excellence in Coventry to accelerate bakery innovation and support future manufacturing growth across the UK and Europe. Food & Drink Culture: Burger King is reopening its Inverness Falcon Square site with 1,000 free burgers for customers, offering a choice of Whopper or Chicken Royale.

Meat & Retail Finance: Hilton, the UK’s biggest meatpacker, lifted its profit target after selling loss-making vegan arm Dalco for £5.4m, while also citing weaker demand at its Dutch smoked salmon business and earlier raw material cost pressure. Foodservice Restructuring: Whitbread confirmed closure dates for Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites in Cumbria, with some venues set to be converted into hotel extension rooms as part of a wider UK/IE overhaul affecting 200 restaurants and 3,800 jobs. Food Safety & Health: Dentists are warning that “sugar-free” drinks can still contribute to tooth decay, pushing people toward water, milk, tea and coffee instead. UK Food Policy & Trade: Farmers urged the UK to block Brazilian beef imports into the food chain, arguing standards on hormones and antibiotics don’t match UK/EU rules. Industry Promotions: Greggs launched a Steak & Stilton Bake with a “Stilton Insurance” swap offer for customers who don’t like it. Supply Chain & Sanctions: A Belfast Cuban Sandwich Factory said Deliveroo payment delays linked to US sanctions were resolved after public pressure, highlighting how geopolitical shocks can hit local food businesses.

Organic Beer Launch: Oxfordshire prison-leavers social enterprise Tap Social is teaming up with Stroud Brewery to release “Against the Grain”, an organic hazy pale ale for Organic September. Frozen Yogurt Expansion: Yo-Chi, the Boost Juice founders’ frozen yoghurt brand backed by Ellerston Capital, is pushing toward a $2bn valuation with rapid international growth including the UK. Food Marketing & AI Backlash: A UK-focused rant is calling out “AI slop” in restaurant and delivery ads, arguing fake-looking food imagery is eroding trust. Retail & Menu Moves: M&S is rolling out an autumn café menu featuring returning viral Yorkshire Pudding Wraps plus new toasties and hazelnut drinks. Consumer Safety Watch: A study flags xylitol (found in some jam, ice cream, yoghurts, gum and toothpaste) as linked to higher cardiovascular risk, prompting calls for more scrutiny. Deposit Return Scheme Update: Exchange for Change has published intended DRS producer fees for the October 2027 rollout, including 0p for the first 15 months. Food Poverty Funding: A Merthyr Tydfil facility is set to be funded to help foodbanks store and distribute chilled and frozen donations at scale.

Food recalls & safety: Tesco and Iceland issued urgent alerts after possible E. coli contamination, pulling specific ready meals and urging customers not to eat affected products. Retail disruption: A strike at Pilgrim’s Europe’s Enniskillen plant could trigger shortages of Richmond sausages and Fridge Raiders from today. Cost-of-living pressure: UK shop price inflation hit a two-year high in August, with higher food and energy costs blamed. Water & food security: The UK’s risk register has been updated, warning a major water infrastructure failure could leave over a million people without piped drinking water. Health & nutrition: New guidance on menopause stresses HRT shouldn’t be routine for everyone, while a separate report links beverage choices to dementia risk. Local food & drink openings: Warrington welcomed new coffee shops, and a Cumbrian bar brand applied for a new premises licence to expand its food-and-craft-beer offer. Sustainability & environment: Conservationists highlighted Scotland’s seabird decline and efforts on remote islands to protect colonies.