Soon wine lovers will be able to purchase 'pint' sizes bottles of still and sparkling wine at British supermarkets.
Next time you're strolling down the wine aisle trying to pick your perfect bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, then you may spot a brand new 'pint' size bottle of the good stuff on offer.
The move to introduce the 568ml size will sit alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already available, offering more flexibility and choice customers announced the Department for Business and Trade.
But it's not the first time this has happened, pint bottles of Champagne were sold until 1973 in the UK before Britain joined the European Common Market.
However, their production ceased as they did not comply with EU weight restriction rules.
Image: Booth UK
A whopping 900 vineyards, which currently produce around 12.2 million bottles of wine a year, are set to benefit from the new post-Brexit "freedoms", the department said.
The changes will also allow new quantities of both still and sparkling wine to be sold in 200ml and 500ml quantities alongside the new 568ml 'pint' measurement.
Currently, still wine cannot be sold in 200ml quantities and sparkling wine cannot be sold in 500ml amounts.
The changes will bring more alignment and consistency between the two drinks.
Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, said: "Innovation, freedom and choice - that's what today's announcement gives to producers and consumers alike.
"Our exit from the EU was all about moments just like this, where we can seize new opportunities and provide a real boost to our great British wineries and further growing the economy."
WineGB chief executive Nicola Bates said: "We welcome the chance to be able to harmonise still and sparkling bottle sizes and we are happy to raise a glass to the greater choice.
Currently there is no legal obligation for businesses to sell in the new sizes.
A new cocktail bar is coming to Leeds city centre.
If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be very excited about this news.
The very talented team behind Roland's on Call Lane and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.
Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.
Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.
The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.
And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.
For now, we don't know many more details about the project, but we already know it's going to be exceptional cas anything these guys do turns to gold.
Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.
We'll keep you updated with Paper Plane's progress, but Roland's have stated that the site is hoping to open this coming autumn. So we really don't have long to wait.
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Clementine Hall -
27th December 2023 
