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.

  • Jul- 2019 -
    22 July
    Pubs and Bars40 pub closures a month in 2019, study finds

    40 pub closures a month in 2019, study finds

    Around 40 pubs a month, a total of 235, have closed since the start of the year according to the real estate adviser, Altus Group. According to the research the rate at which pubs are vanishing either being demolished or converted into other types of use such as homes and…

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  • 18 July
    Pubs and BarsSouthwark Council approves late-night levy approval

    Southwark Council approves late-night levy approval

    Southwark Council has voted in favour of a late night levy, which will see all licensed businesses in the area be charged to sell alcohol after midnight. The levy was approved at a Council meeting yesterday (17 July), and was opposed by local businesses and trade body UKHospitality. The group…

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  • 17 July
    Pubs and BarsBusinesses and customers oppose late-night tax in London

    Businesses and customers oppose late-night tax in London

    Trade association UKHospitality and local businesses have gathered signatures opposing the introduction of a new tax on pubs, bars and late-night venues open after midnight. The petition will be delivered to Southwark Council today (17 July) ahead of a planned meeting where the levy will be discussed. Kate Nicholls, chief…

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  • May- 2019 -
    22 May
    Cafes and Coffee ShopsUK government to ban plastic straws

    UK government to ban plastic straws

    The UK government has announced it is to ban single use plastics in England from April 2020. Plastic straws and drink stirrers will be outlawed as a result of the ban, with 316 million plastic straws currently used every year. The government says the new legislation will include “a ban…

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  • 9 May
    Cafes and Coffee ShopsFSA backs mandatory ingredient labelling on food

    FSA backs mandatory ingredient labelling on food

    The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that increased allergen information should be provided on pre-packed direct sale food to “give consumers greater confidence in the food they eat”. The board also set out priorities as part of an ambition to make the UK the best place for food hypersensitive…

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  • Apr- 2019 -
    23 April
    BusinessBritish communities lost 914 pubs in 2018

    British communities lost 914 pubs in 2018

    During the 2018 calendar year, a total of 914 pubs closed down according to real estate advisor Altus Group’s annual business rates review, which is set to be released this week. On 1 January 2019 the total number of pubs in England and Wales, liable for business rates, fell to…

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  • Mar- 2019 -
    18 March
    Food and DrinkFood advertising restrictions will ‘harm hospitality sector’

    Food advertising restrictions will ‘harm hospitality sector’

    Trade association UKHospitality has warned that restrictions on food advertising would further “undermine hospitality businesses” already battling against restrictive legislation and rising costs. The government has today launched a consultation on restricting food advertising proposing a post-watershed and social media ban. UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: “Hospitality shares the…

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  • Feb- 2019 -
    21 February
    Apps & TechnologyUber Eats opens its doors to 50,000 restaurants

    Uber Eats opens its doors to 50,000 restaurants

    Uber Eats has announced it is to add 50,0000 restaurants to its offering, as the food delivery app unlocks its technology to restaurants with their own delivery drivers. Launching nationwide today, the new service will offer restaurants in 100 towns and cities, whether they want to use their own delivery…

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  • 21 February
    BusinessHospitality businesses hailed ‘heroes of the high streets’

    Hospitality businesses hailed ‘heroes of the high streets’

    Hospitality trade bodies have applauded the housing, communities and local government’s report which was published today (21 February) and said high streets and town centres needed to shift the focus from shopping onto leisure. This report follows the committees recent enquiry into what is needed to save the UK high…

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  • 1 February
    BusinessMPs launch business rates inquiry

    MPs launch business rates inquiry

    The Treasury Committee has launched a new inquiry into business rates to scrutinise how government policy has impacted high street businesses. The committee will examine how business rates policy has changed, including business rates retention, alternatives to property-based taxes, such as the proposed digital services tax. Nicky Morgan MP, chair…

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