Business Rates
We provide essential coverage of business rates policy and reform, and how it impacts operators across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector. From government relief schemes and revaluation updates to lobbying efforts led by UKHospitality and industry coalitions, this captures the key developments influencing site viability and cost pressures. Whether you run a single high-street restaurant or oversee a multi-site pub or catering group, we explain how changes to the business rates system affect your bottom line, and what you need to know to plan ahead.
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Jun- 2025 -9 JunePeople
Kate Nicholls appointed as UKHospitality chair
UKHospitality has announced that current CEO Kate Nicholls OBE is to step up to the new role of chair, while current deputy CEO Allen Simpson will transition to CEO. At the same time, current non-executive chairman, Steve Cassidy, will move to become president. The move will enable Nicholls and Simpson…
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2 JuneTrade Associations
One third of hospitality operates at a loss, survey finds
One third of hospitality businesses are currently operating at a loss, representing an 11% increase on the last quarter, according to the latest survey undertaken by UKH, the British Institute of Innkeeping, the British Beer and Pub Association, and Hospitality Ulster. UKHospitality, along with a number of trade associations, have…
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May- 2025 -6 MayPubs and Bars
Heineken to invest £40m in pubs
Heineken UK has announced that it will invest £40m in upgrading and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs division in 2025. The company stated that 25% (608) of its 2,400 pubs will benefit from enhancements during the year, with 104 of these earmarked for transformational revamps costing £120,000 plus. Having…
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Apr- 2025 -28 AprilFeatures
How Tasty repurposed Eat Out to Help Out five years on
Back in the summer of 2020, Eat Out to Help Out gave Brits a reason to leave the house. Half-price meals pulled people back into restaurants after months of lockdown, and by the end of the scheme, diners had claimed more than 160 million meals across the UK, according to…
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16 AprilFeatures
Is it time to rethink restrictions around outdoor dining spaces?
During the pandemic when hospitality businesses were struggling as a result of social distancing restrictions, outdoor dining was a saviour to many. Lots of businesses were able to put tables and chairs on pavements and in roads allowing them to make money when people could not mix inside. However, as…
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15 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 15/04/25
The Non-Domestic Rating Act has become law. This new legislation aims to provide a permanently lower level of business rates for the hospitality sector. Following the news, UKH has asked for the maximum discount to be applied to hospitality properties with a rateable value of less than £500k. For those…
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15 AprilRegulations & Policies
UKH calls for maximum discount as business rates reform bill becomes law
The Government’s commitment to reform the business rates system has become law as the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act received Royal Assent. The new legislation aims to provide a permanently lower level of business rates for the hospitality sector. UKHospitality is asking for the maximum discount to be…
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9 AprilPubs and Bars
BII calls for ‘meaningful’ support as April changes hit 80% of members
The British Institute of Innkeeping has called for “meaningful support for pubs, not empty words”, as its latest survey revealed that 80% of its members said that all four elements of the changes that came into force this April have negatively impacted their businesses. The BII’s 13,000 members mainly run…
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7 AprilFeatures
Harder to hire, even tougher to keep: hospitality’s retention crunch
The hospitality sector stands at a crossroads, with financial pressures mounting and workforce satisfaction waning. A new survey from Hospitality Jobs UK and KAM Insights, in partnership with the Access Group, paints a stark picture: nearly half (46%) of hospitality employees now earn under £30k, up from 37% in 2024…
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1 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 01/04/25
UKH has urged the government to work with the industry amid £3.4bn of new annual costs that have come in today (1 April). Hospitality businesses will now face an additional £1.9bn in wage costs, £1bn of employer NICs and £500m in business rates, as a result of relief being lowered…
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