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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Sep- 2024 -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…
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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…
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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. …
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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15 AugustTrade Associations
Rail strikes close to end as Aslef agrees pay deal
Train drivers are set to vote on a new pay offer after Aslef and the Department for Transport came to an agreement hoping to bring months of disruption to an end. The new offer is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5%…
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13 AugustNews
Riots drag down hospitality sales by 10%
Violent disorder and the nationwide threat of rioting last Wednesday (7 August 2024) caused a significant 10% drop in sales as businesses closed and customers stayed away, according to CGA by NIQ. The impact on sales in towns where rumoured protests were planned to take place was as high as…
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6 AugustTrade Associations
UKH launches support hub as riots affect the sector
UKHospitality has published a support hub for businesses and staff that have been affected by the riots and violent disorder that have descended upon towns and high streets over the weekend (3 and 4 August). The hub includes advice on compensation for victims of criminal damage or loss during a…
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Jul- 2024 -31 JulyTrade Associations
UKH calls new LPC 2025 remit ‘disruptive and unhelpful’
UKHospitality has called changes to the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) remit for 2025 “disruptive and unhelpful”, claiming that wages rates must strike an “affordable balance to help deliver growth for both businesses and staff”. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has ordered the LPC to factor in the future cost of living…
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