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.

  • Nov- 2023 -
    22 November
    NewsUKH criticises 10% rise in NLW amid business rates row

    UKH criticises 10% rise in NLW amid business rates row

    UKH has criticised the government’s latest announcement that the National Living Wage will rise 10% and 28p more than originally planned, saying that this increase will have a “knock-on” effect on businesses already struggling with costs. Yesterday, the government announced that the NLW will increase to £11.44 from April 2024,…

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  • 10 November
    Trade AssociationsHospitality leaders call for ‘urgent action’ in Autumn Statement

    Hospitality leaders call for ‘urgent action’ in Autumn Statement

    Michelin-starred chefs and publicans have joined industry CEOs from more than 230 companies in signing an open letter to the chancellor calling for urgent support ahead of this month’s Autumn Statement.  Tom Kerridge, Monica Galetti, Tom Aikens and Jodie Kidd were among the chefs and publicans included in the letter,…

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  • 8 November
    NewsToday’s news in brief – 08/11/23

    Today’s news in brief – 08/11/23

    J D Wetherspoon has reported a 9.5% like-for-like sales growth for the 14 weeks ended 5 November. During this period, bar sales increased by 10.7%, food by 8.2%, and slot machines by 10%. The group’s hotel room sales also saw a 6.2% increase. In the year to date, total sales…

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  • 8 November
    Trade AssociationsUKH urges govt to protect industry following King’s Speech

    UKH urges govt to protect industry following King’s Speech

    UKHospitality has urged the government to ensure there are measures in place to protect hospitality businesses from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, following the King’s Speech yesterday (7 November).  The bills outlined by the King included the carryover of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bills, which aims to…

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  • 7 November
    NewsGender Pay Gap

    Contract caterers’ Q3 sales rise 15%, CGA says

    Contract caterers’ sales in the third quarter of 2023 were 15% ahead of the same period in 2022, the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ and Bidfood revealed. It continues catering’s strong recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, when sales were decimated by lockdowns and widespread working from home.…

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  • Oct- 2023 -
    30 October
    BusinessUK licensed premises drop below 100k for first time in 20 years

    UK licensed premises drop below 100k for first time in 20 years

    The number of Britain’s licensed premises has fallen by nearly a third in the last two decades to below 100,000 for the first time in 20 years, according to new figures from UKH in partnership with CGA by NIQ. At the end of this September, the total number of licensed…

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  • 20 October
    BusinessUKH warns of inflation-linked rates rise

    UKH warns of inflation-linked rates rise

    With inflation standing at 6.7% in September, UK Hospitality has warned that the hospitality industry could face an additional £234m in business rates, if the government is to go ahead with its planned inflation-linked rise in April. This combination would leave hospitality facing a huge £864m in business rate costs…

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  • 18 October
    NewsHOSPA announces line-up ahead of annual industry conference

    HOSPA announces line-up ahead of annual industry conference

    HOSPA, the Hospitality Professionals Association, has announced the line-up of industry experts ahead of its annual HOSPACE conference in November. Taking place at Royal Lancaster London on 16 November, HOSPA will play host to an array of discussions and insightful workshops addressing a range of topics, such as the rapid…

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  • 13 October
    NewsToday’s news in brief – 13/10/23

    Today’s news in brief – 13/10/23

    Brakspear is investing £2m to refurbish two leased and tenanted pubs in partnership with pub companies Little and Large and Friendship and Beer. These agreements exemplify Brakspear’s commitment to its leased and tenanted estate, recognising the value of partnering with talented operators. The agreements are structured as turnover tenancies, aligning…

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  • 13 October
    Trade AssociationsSome 4,738 hospitality venues begin net zero journey

    Some 4,738 hospitality venues begin net zero journey

    UKH’s carbon calculator, in partnership with Sky Zero and Zero Carbon Forum, has seen 375 companies operating across 4,738 sites have begun their journey to net zero. The figures, which were unveiled at the trade body’s annual sustainability seminar, showcased the success of the carbon calculator and the partnership between…

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