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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Jan- 2024 -19 JanuaryFood and Drink
Hospitality venues’ sales rise 8.8% over December
Restaurants, pubs and bars saw sales rise by 8.8% over the latest Christmas period compared with data from 2022, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker. According to CGA and RSM, the industry saw a sharp increase from 4% in November to more than 8% in December, and…
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17 JanuaryTrade Associations
UKH ‘encouraged’ as job vacancies fall by 35,000 in 2023
UKH has been “encouraged” by news that job vacancies within the industry have fallen by 35,000 within 2023, according to new figures from the ONS. However, current vacancies still remain “far higher” than pre-pandemic levels, when there were 89,000. According to UKH, reforms to the apprenticeships levy and addressing the…
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16 JanuaryTrade Associations
New Aslef strike action could cost hospitality £350m
New Aslef strike action planned for the end of January into early February could cost hospitality businesses almost £350m, according to UKHospitality. Aslef announced another series of strikes between 30 January and 5 February, affecting different train operators each day. Furthermore, an overtime ban will also be in place from…
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5 JanuaryTrade Associations
Tube strikes could cost hospitality £50m, says UKH
The latest round of strikes from RMT members on the London Underground could cost hospitality businesses up to £50m according to UKHospitality. Staff on the tube will go on strike between 7 January and 11 January and disruption will last from the evening of 6 January until midday on the…
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2 JanuaryTrade Associations
UKH sets out plan for 2024
UKHospitality has unveiled a three-point plan which it will focus on in 2024 to put hospitality at the “front and centre of policy making” ahead of the next General Election. The plan includes generating investment through root and branch reform of business rates, creating jobs through Apprenticeship Levy reform and…
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Dec- 2023 -11 DecemberNews
UKH welcomes new Ofgem proposals
UKHospitality has welcomed Ofgem recent proposals to expand protections for businesses in the energy market. The energy regulator has launched a statutory consultation on proposals to ensure all businesses get the highest standards of service and provide more clarity on the costs being paid to third party energy brokers. The…
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5 DecemberGovernment
Labour shortages to worsen with new immigration plan, says UKH
Labour shortages in the hospitality sector are set to worsen as a result of the Government’s new immigration plans according to UKHospitality. While three quarters of the hospitality workforce are made up of UK nationals, around a quarter of the workforce is made up of overseas workers according to UKH.…
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1 DecemberPubs and Bars
RMT accepts pay offer ending strikes until at least spring 2024
The RMT has announced that it has accepted a pay deal from the Rail Delivery Group, ending strike action until at least spring 2024. Members of the union have accepted a 5% pay increase which is backdated to 2022-2023 alongside a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until the end of…
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Nov- 2023 -27 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 27/11/23
Pho is set for expansion, securing fresh funding following a 33.6% turnover surge to £58.3m in FY23. Despite a profit dip to £1.8m (from £5.6m) due to pandemic concessions, restaurant EBITDA held steady around £10.4m. The company attributes the profit decrease to prior government aid. While FY23’s EBITDA stood at…
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27 NovemberTrade Associations
Extended hours for Euro 2024 ‘essential’ for pubs and bars, says UKH
Hospitality trade body UKHospitality has warned it is “essential” that trading hours are extended for the semi-finals and final stage of the European Championships next summer. UKH chief Kate Nicholls said Euro 2024 is set to be a “huge event” for hospitality businesses next summer as fans pack pubs and…
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