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- 2022 -
    25 November
    BusinessRail strikes could cost hospitality £1.5bn, says UKH

    Rail strikes could cost hospitality £1.5bn, says UKH

    Recent analysis from UKHospitality has found the sector could lose up to £1.5bn due to upcoming rail strikes, similar to the level of disruption caused by the Omicron variant of Covid last year.  The group said hospitality businesses have “already seen large-scale cancellations, which are unlikely to be rescheduled, and…

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  • 18 November
    GovernmentIndustry reacts: ‘More is needed’ from Autumn Statement 

    Industry reacts: ‘More is needed’ from Autumn Statement 

    The hospitality industry has warned that the chancellor’s Autumn budget, unveiled yesterday (17 November), does not go far enough with plans for economic growth, adding that “more is needed” to support pubs and breweries.   Responding to the Autumn Statement, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls, said she was “pleased that the chancellor…

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  • 14 November
    Catering CompaniesContract catering Q3 sales up 41% but remain below 2019 levels

    Contract catering Q3 sales up 41% but remain below 2019 levels

    Sales in the contract catering sector have increased 41% between July and September this year, however still remain below pre-Covid levels, according to the latest contract catering tracker from CGA. Sales in this years’ third quarter were down 9% when compared with the same three month period in 2019 and…

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  • 14 November
    BusinessHospitality faces £900m business rates hike 

    Hospitality faces £900m business rates hike 

    Hospitality businesses will face a £3.6bn bill next April if business rates increase in line with inflation and current relief is ended, a business rates increase of £900m, on top of the £2.7bn the sector currently pays. Ahead of the Autumn Statement this week, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls is urging…

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  • 7 November
    Trade AssociationsUKH calls for urgent investigation into energy suppliers’ pricing

    UKH calls for urgent investigation into energy suppliers’ pricing

    UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls has written to the Business Secretary Grant Shapps urging him to instigate an investigation by Ofgem and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into energy pricing for commercial businesses. UKH said it comes as hospitality businesses have “raised the alarm that energy suppliers are quoting…

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  • 1 November
    Regulations & PoliciesUKH calls for Liverpool City Council to scrap late night levy

    UKH calls for Liverpool City Council to scrap late night levy

    UKHospitality has urged Liverpool City Council to remove its late night levy, warning that continuing to collect the levy alongside additional pressures could lead to closures, discourage new openings and impact on employment in the city. According to the trade body, during the time they have been in operation, levies…

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  • Oct- 2022 -
    20 October
    BusinessHospitality loses 2,200 sites in three months amid cost challenges

    Hospitality loses 2,200 sites in three months amid cost challenges

    Britain’s hospitality sector saw a net decline of one closure every hour in the third quarter of 2022, including pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels, according to the latest Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. The closures over the last quarter follow a “sharp rise” in prices in energy,…

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  • 19 October
    BusinessRising food prices push inflation back to 10.1%

    Rising food prices push inflation back to 10.1%

    Inflation has returned to the 40-year high of 10.1% in September, up from 9.9% in August, with rising food prices as the main contributor, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  The increase to the annual inflation rate in September 2022 reflected, principally, rising food…

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  • 13 October
    Trade AssociationsUKH launches net zero Sustainability Programme

    UKH launches net zero Sustainability Programme

    UKHospitality (UKH) has launched a new Sustainability Programme aimed at guiding the sector to net zero by 2040.  The commitment sets out 10 pledges in four areas – waste, supply chain, skills and biodiversity. The initiative forms part of a wider drive to help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises…

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  • 12 October
    GovernmentUKH welcomes Energy Prices Bill

    UKH welcomes Energy Prices Bill

    UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has welcomed the Government’s new Energy Prices Bill adding that it will provide “relief to all manner of hospitality businesses”. Under the new bill, consumers will pay a fairer price for their electricity as the UK government introduces new emergency powers that will ensure consumers…

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