Ukhospitality

RMT suspends tube strikes suspended after ‘positive’ talks with TfL

08-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has suspended industrial action that would have wiped out tube services in London this week.

Tube strikes set to cost hospitality £50m

05-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that next week's tube strikes in London could cost the sector up to £50m in lost sales.

Lower VAT rate for hospitality leads UKHospitality's 2024 three-point plan

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

UK Hospitality has unveiled its three-point plan for the coming year that will focus on growth, investment, and jobs.

‘Concern’ from Welsh hospitality as rates relief slashed

21-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses in Wales are facing a business rates hike next year after the Welsh Government announced it would reduce the sector’s discount while raising the rate across the board.

Scottish hospitality pleads for rates support as 10,000 businesses ‘hang in the balance’

18-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

New analysis shows that thousands of Scottish hospitality businesses will be left unsupported if rates relief isn’t included in the Scottish Budget tomorrow (19 December).

Ofgem proposals ‘much needed’ to deliver fairness to hospitality businesses

08-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Proposals by Ofgem to expand rules on standards of conduct to all businesses and increase transparency for those using third-party brokers have been described as ‘much needed’ to hospitality operators.

Hospitality labour shortages set to 'worsen' under new immigration plans

05-Dec-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have warned new immigration rules that will raise the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa will ‘further shrink’ the talent pool businesses are recruiting from.

Relief as RMT votes to end rail strikes but hospitality ‘not out of the woods’

30-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses are ‘breathing a sigh of relief’ after RMT union voted to accept a pay deal that will end their involvement in rail strikes until at least the spring.

Relief for hospitality as rates relief extended, but operators left wanting by Autumn Statement

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have voiced frustration at the Chancellor’s failure to announce any additional support measures for the sector in his Autumn Statement, beyond those already in place.

Sector pleads for support as leaders warn wage increase could be ‘death knell’ for many

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Industry leaders have warned an increase in the National Living Wage could be a ‘death knell’ for smaller hospitality businesses without targeted tax cuts in today’s (22 November) Autumn Statement.

Business leaders warn of 'disastrous’ consequences if business rates increase

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

A coalition of leading hospitality, retail and leisure organisations have written to the Chancellor urging him to freeze the business rates multiplier and extend existing reliefs for a further year at the upcoming Autumn Statement.

December train strikes set to ‘devastate’ hospitality trading

16-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that fresh train strikes planned for December by the Aslef union will ‘devastate trading’ for the sector and cost businesses up to £800m.

Key industry players join calls for Government to scrap business rates rise

10-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Key industry players including Tom Kerridge, Tom Aikens and Monica Galetti have signed a letter calling on the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to extend business rates support in his Autumn Statement.

Breakthrough in rail strike negotiations could mean ‘Christmas comes early’ for hospitality

09-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

A breakthrough in the long-running rail dispute between the RMT union and train operators could ‘save the incredibly valuable festive period’ for the hospitality sector, UKHospitality has said.

New minimum service level regulations to ensure 40% of trains run on strike days

07-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The Government is to introduce new minimum service level regulations to mitigate disruption and ensure public services continue to operate if strikes are called.

Trade bodies push for further business rates support ahead of Autumn Statement

06-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality trade bodies have reasserted calls for the Government to extend business rates support, after new data showed inaction would force operators to reduce investment and cut staffing levels.

Britain’s licensed premises drop below 100,000 for the first time in 20 years

30-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

New figures from hospitality trade body UKHospitality show that Britain’s number of licensed premises has fallen by nearly a third (31%) in the past two decades.

Inflation to drop £864m business rates 'bombshell' on hospitality

18-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

The planned inflation-linked rise in business rates in April will cost hospitality businesses an additional £234m it has been revealed.

‘Surprise’ increase in hospitality vacancies prompts call for action

17-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality vacancies are on the rise again following five months of consecutive decreases.

Failure to add hospitality roles to Shortage Occupation List ‘holding sector back reaching full potential’

04-Oct-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has criticised the decision not to add chef roles to the UK's Shortage Occupation List, saying it ‘demonstrates a lack of understanding and outdated perception’ of hospitality recruitment.

Hospitality leaders urge rail unions to avoid Christmas strikes

02-Oct-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Some of the UK’s largest hospitality businesses have signed an open letter penned by UKHospitality urging the rail unions to avoid strikes over the ‘crucial’ Christmas period.

UKH: 'hospitality businesses continue to suffer as collateral damage in rail strike dispute'

22-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has called on the Government, rail unions and companies to resume negotiations as a matter of urgency and try to resolve the ongoing train strikes.

Scottish Government called on to introduce five-night maximum visitor levy

15-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

Politicians have been urged to agree a cap on the number of nights a visitor levy can be charged to avoid falling levels of tourism in Scotland.

Government-backed employment scheme launches to fill hospitality job vacancies

11-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

The Government has joined forces with the hospitality industry to help create the next generation of leaders.

UKHospitality: ‘It's near impossible for venues to keep up with the cost of doing business’

08-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that the rate of inflation means it’s 'near impossible' for operators to keep up with the cost of doing business.

350 hospitality businesses respond to Ofgem's energy consultation

06-Sep-2023 By Restaurant

More than 350 hospitality businesses have responded to Ofgem’s consultation, urging the watchdog to take swift action to improve the energy market.

Fresh train strikes announced

21-Aug-2023 By Hannah Currie

Train drivers are preparing to stage a fresh strike in a long running dispute over pay.

UKHospitality makes fresh call to freeze business rates amid warning of £220m bill rise

21-Aug-2023 By Restaurant

UKHospitality has made a fresh plea for the Chancellor to freeze business rates, amid warnings a hike in bills could dent investment and leave many small firms ‘on the brink’.

Hospitality businesses urged to back #FiveAsksForOfgem

09-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality is calling on the sector to support its demand for Ofgem to rapidly implement the recommendations from its energy market review.

Sunak urged to reassess rise in worker visa fees

08-Aug-2023 By James McAllister

Rishi Sunak is facing calls to rethink a planned increase in visa fees for migrant workers amid fears it will harm the UK’s competitiveness and efforts to plug labour shortages.

‘Another tough quarter’ for hospitality as more than 1,100 outlets lost in Q2

26-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality recorded 1,139 net closures in the second quarter of this year, equivalent to 12.5 outlets shutting each day, according to the new Hospitality Market Monitor.

UKH: Ofgem recommendations ‘must be actioned urgently to avoid further business failures’

26-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality (UKH) has warned recommendations made by Ofgem in its non-domestic market review ‘must be actioned urgently’ if the sector is to avoid further business failures.

‘Disappointment’ for hospitality as Government set to scrap relaxed licensing rules

25-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

The Government is to end the automatic, pandemic-era provision for hospitality venues to sell alcohol for off-site consumption, in a move that’s been described as ‘disappointing’ by the sector.

UKH pushes Government on energy bills support

14-Jul-2023 By Hannah Currie

UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls has called on the Government to extend new financial help to businesses by amending the terms of emergency loan schemes set up during the pandemic.

Hospitality workforce shortage creating ‘serious crisis’ as Tory MP admits UK needs more EU workers

10-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses fear they will struggle to cope over the summer holiday season, amid a warning that ongoing staffing struggles are creating a ‘serious crisis’ within the sector.

Kate Nicholls: 'Hospitality an economic powerhouse the Government should be eager to embrace'

15-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

A report from UKHospitality suggests hospitality could increase its direct contribution to the economy by £29bn and create 500,000 new jobs by 2027, providing it receives the right support.

Inclusive policies in hospitality demanded by customers, new survey shows

09-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

Almost two-thirds of customers think a venue’s equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policy is important, according to the latest Future Shock survey by UKHospitality and CGA by NIQ.

UKHospitality: ‘chef vacancies need urgent action’

01-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has reiterated calls for chefs to be added to the UK’s shortage occupation list, which would make it easier for businesses to recruit them from overseas.

Half term rail strikes to cost hospitality £132m

30-May-2023 By James McAllister

Upcoming rail strikes are set to cost hospitality a further £132m in sales, according to new figures from UKHospitality, bringing the cumulative impact of the year-long industrial action to £3.25bn.

Food and drink inflation remains ‘stubbornly high’ despite drop in overall rate

24-May-2023 By James McAllister

Food and beverage prices continued to rise last month despite a ‘substantial’ drop in the overall rate in inflation, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

Hospitality facing ‘chronic’ inflationary pressure as growth stalls

24-May-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality turnover in the last year was down 14.7% compared to pre-pandemic levels when accounting for inflation, according to new figures provided by UKHospitality.

UKHospitality Scotland demands ‘new approach’ to business rates system

19-May-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality Scotland has pushed back against the Scottish Government’s claim that restaurants have seen a decrease in their overall rateable value, saying it ‘doesn’t reflect the reality on the ground’.

Recruitment shortages 'continue to hold back growth' despite significant fall in vacancies

17-May-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned recruitment shortages across the sector are 'continuing to hold back growth', despite a 'significant' drop in vacancies in the last year.

Hospitality faces ‘record insolvencies’ as businesses continue to suffer economic pain

12-May-2023 By James McAllister

Company insolvencies in hospitality could hit record highs this year, a legal expert has warned, as business continue to be battered by a ‘perfect storm’ of cost pressures.

The Lowdown: The coronation of King Charles III

05-May-2023 By James McAllister

Restaurants across the country are planning to make the most of the regal bank holiday celebrations.

Fresh train strikes 'to heap further pain' on hospitality

27-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

Train drivers are set to strike again across three dates in May and June, dashing hopes within the hospitality sector that the long-running dispute could be coming to an end.

Hospitality faces ‘summer slump’ without action to alleviate recruitment challenges

18-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that businesses face a ‘summer slump’ unless the Government takes action to alleviate recruitment challenges that continue to dog the sector.

Foodservice price inflation shows signs of easing but remains above 20%

14-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

Year-on-year food inflation fell slightly to 20.6% in February 2023, the new CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index reveals.

UKHospitality demands ‘meaningful action’ to rein in ‘profiteering energy suppliers’

31-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that without meaningful action to rein in ‘profiteering energy suppliers’, the sector will no doubt see thousands of venues go out of business this year.

Hospitality hits back at Bank of England suggestion businesses shouldn't raise prices

27-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has hit out at the suggestion from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey that businesses should not raise prices above the rate of inflation.