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 -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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20 JuneFood and Drink
London mayor backs new al fresco dining spots for summer
London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced new al fresco dining areas are set to open across four London boroughs this summer, as part of a mayoral scheme to support the capital’s hospitality industry. The Summer Streets Fund, a £300k programme backed by Khan, will see streets in Lambeth, Hackney, Waltham…
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16 JuneTrade Associations
UKH secures govt commitment to explore changes to EPR scheme
UKHospitality has secured a commitment from the government to explore changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, following concerns that the current rules unfairly penalise hospitality businesses. The trade body said some venues are being charged twice for recycling due to regulations that classify certain packaging used in hospitality,…
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12 JuneCatering Companies
Contract caterers see Q1 sales rise 9.5% year-on-year
Contract caterers’ sales rose 9.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality. The increase marks the 15th consecutive quarter of growth for the sector, with sales expanding in every quarter since mid-2021. Growth in 2024 ranged…
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11 JuneTrade Associations
UKH calls for NIC rethink as 100,000 jobs lost in May
UKHospitality has called for the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to be reconsidered, as new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that more than 100,000 jobs were lost in May as a direct result. The Labour Market Overview, which was published today (11 June), estimates…
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