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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Nov- 2023 -7 NovemberNews
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 OctoberBusiness
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 OctoberBusiness
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 OctoberNews
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 OctoberNews
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 OctoberTrade Associations
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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Sep- 2023 -29 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 29/09/23
Hostmore has postponed any new restaurant openings until 2025, saving about £15m in cash expenditures due to challenging trading conditions. The company reported improved cost reductions of £8.2m for the 26 weeks ending July 2, benefiting FY23 by £5.8m. H1 2023 delivered negative EBITDA of £3.8m, compared with positive £7.1m…
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29 SeptemberBusiness
Hospitality vacancies fall by 33% after UKH Workforce Strategy success
Commitments made in UKHospitality’s Workforce Strategy, launched in May 2022, have helped bring down hospitality vacancies by 33% to 57,000 at its peak. In a significant update on the strategy’s progress since its launch, the sector now boasts “record” levels of employment in accommodation and food service with 2.7 million…
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19 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief
Canadian restaurant chain Tim Hortons is expanding in the UK using a franchise model to grow its portfolio of 75 restaurants. After five years of testing and learning, the brand plans to open both drive-thrus and high street locations in new towns and cities across the country. Tim Hortons entered…
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19 SeptemberNews
UKH calls on gov to take action on business rates amid pub closures
UKH has warned the government that a commitment to extend business rates relief is essential to avoid further pub closures. New government statistics show that 383 pubs were lost for good in the first six months of 2023. That’s the equivalent of two pubs per day. Wales was the region…
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