Kate Nicholls
This archive features our reporting on Kate Nicholls OBE — a key voice in the UK’s hospitality and foodservice policy landscape. As Chair of UKHospitality, Nicholls plays a central role in lobbying government, shaping regulation, and influencing the commercial environment in which restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, and catering firms operate. Catering Today covers Nicholls’ statements, policy positions, and leadership activity because her work directly affects the trading conditions, labour challenges, and long-term resilience of foodservice businesses. For operators navigating rising costs, staffing pressures, or post-pandemic recovery, her advocacy and insights are both timely and consequential.
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Jul- 2025 -28 JulyGovernment
Govt to fast-track new cafes and bars with planning reforms
The government has announced that cafes, bars and music venues could soon replace empty shops under its new plans to relax licensing and planning rules, in a bid to revive town centres. The reforms, which were announced on Sunday (27 July), will form part of the forthcoming Small Business Plan,…
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25 JulyFeatures
Can leadership programmes solve hospitality’s recruitment woes?
The UK hospitality sector is facing one of its most significant challenges in years. According to UKHospitality, the industry has shed 69,000 jobs since October 2024, a sharp reversal from the previous year when 18,000 roles were created in the same period. Job losses in the sector have been three…
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17 JulyBusiness
Hospitality hit hardest by job losses, ONS data shows
Hospitality has been the hardest hit sector of the economy since the Budget, accounting for nearly half (45%) of all job losses, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. The data shows that hospitality has now lost 84,000 jobs since the budget, an increase of 13,000 job losses…
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16 JulyPubs and Bars
Oasis comeback helps boost hospitality sales, UKH finds
Hospitality operators in Manchester, Edinburgh and London can expect a welcome boost to trade when Oasis come to town for their reunion shows over the next few weeks, according to data from UKHospitality. The first shows of the tour, held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday 4 and Saturday 5…
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11 JulyBusiness
UKH calls upward-only rent review ban a ‘significant win’
UKHospitality has hailed a “significant win” after it was revealed that The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will include a commitment to ban upward-only rent review clauses in commercial leases. UKHospitality has been calling for a ban on upward-only rent reviews since the turn of the century. Upward-only rent…
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8 JulyFeatures
Brace for impact: how hospitality must prepare for the Employment Rights Bill
The government has set a phased timeline for rolling out changes under the Employment Rights Bill. The most complex reforms, including guaranteed hours and enhanced protections from unfair dismissal, will not take effect until 2027. Before then, employers will face a series of earlier reforms. From April 2026, new rules…
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7 JulyTrade Associations
PM urged to act as hospitality loses 69,000 jobs
The hospitality industry has warned the prime minister it risks being “taxed out” of the jobs market, after losing 69,000 jobs since October 2024. Job losses in the sector have been three times higher than across the wider economy since the Budget, according to UKHospitality, which has urged the government…
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4 JulyTrade Associations
UKH warns against new measures in gov health plan
UKHospitality has warned that new measures in the government’s 10-year health plan for England risk adding “red tape and cost” to businesses if imposed without collaboration. It comes as the Department of Health and Social Care published the plan yesterday (3 July), which aims to improve the National Health Service…
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2 JulyRegulations & Policies
Govt unveils timeline for Employment Rights reforms
The government has set out a phased timeline for implementing changes under the Employment Rights Bill, with the most complex reforms delayed until 2027 to provide time for business consultation. It comes as the Department for Business and Trade has confirmed that new rights around guaranteed hours and shift predictability…
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Jun- 2025 -23 JuneTrade Associations
UKH warns against Westminster plan for late-night levy
Westminster City Council’s plans to consult on a late-night levy risk undermining its own ambitions to boost the night-time economy, UKHospitality has warned. The trade body, which represents hospitality operators, has formally responded to the council’s consultation. While welcoming several proposals, including expanding the night bus and tube network, increasing…
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