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.
-
Sep- 2024 -19 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 19/09/24
Hostmore has fallen into administration, endangering some 4,500 jobs. While a total of 87 TGI Fridays restaurants have been put up for sale, they will continue to operate as normal during the administration process. The news comes after Hostmore’s plans to acquire the US operator of TGI Fridays for £177m…
Read More » -
19 SeptemberTrade Associations
ASLEF accepts pay deal ending industrial action
Train drivers union ASLEF has voted to accept a multi-year pay deal bringing to an end a two-year dispute with 16 train companies. Members of the union voted 96% in favour of the deal which will see drivers receive a pay rise of 15% over the next three years. Secretary…
Read More » -
18 SeptemberRegulations & Policies
New packaging rules risk ‘double penalty’ for hospitality, says UKH
UKHospitality has claimed that new packaging rules holding businesses responsible for the end-of-life consequences of packaging risks a “double penalty” for hospitality businesses. It has stated that in many hospitality businesses, packaging deemed as household waste will actually never make it out of a venue and will be disposed of…
Read More » -
16 SeptemberBusiness
Business rates relief end could cost hospitality £1bn, says UKH
The end of business rates relief could cost hospitality businesses £928m in April, according to data from UKHospitality. Hospitality and leisure businesses face their bills quadrupling, totalling tens of thousands of pounds per venue, if business rates relief ends as planned on 31 March. Data from UKH found that A…
Read More » -
13 SeptemberVenues & Properties
UKHospitality welcomes Martyn’s Law requirements
UKHospitality has welcomed Martyn’s Law, which was laid in parliament on 12 September 2024, providing updates to many key elements of the legislation. Martyn’s Law will introduce a new requirement on venues in the UK to ensure they are prepared in the event of a future terror attack. The bill…
Read More » -
11 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 11/09/24
Job vacancies have fallen below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, falling to 98,000, in what UKH has called a “positive milestone” for the sector. ONS figures also indicate that average earnings are 4% higher than a year ago, which UKH boss Kate Nicholls attributed to the LPC…
Read More » -
11 SeptemberTrade Associations
Hospitality vacancies fall below 100,000 for first time since pandemic
Job vacancies in food service and accommodation have fallen below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, falling to 98,000, in what UKH has called a “positive milestone” for the sector. However, vacancies still remain 5,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000, the ONS’ labour market overview has revealed. …
Read More » -
10 SeptemberBusiness
UKHospitality calls for permanent, lower multiplier to avoid high business rates
UKHospitality is calling for a permanent, lower hospitality multiplier to avoid sky-rocketing business rates bills for thousands of hospitality businesses in April 2025. With current business rates relief set to end on 31 March next year, the chancellor must act to ensure already cash-strapped hospitality businesses aren’t left facing the…
Read More » -
Aug- 2024 -29 AugustTrade Associations
NTIA boss criticises proposed outdoor smoking ban
Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill has accused the government of pushing the country towards a “nanny state” over a proposed ban of smoking outside certain venues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that ministers are looking at banning smoking in a variety of places, including pub gardens,…
Read More » -
28 AugustCatering Companies
Contract caterers achieve 10% sales growth in Q2
Contract caterers saw sales rise by 10% in Q2, marking its 13th quarter of growth in a row and an improvement rate of 7% recorded in the first quarter of this year, according to CGA by NIQ and Bidfood. Meanwhile, growth in moving annual total (MAT) sales – compared to…
Read More »
