Today’s news in brief – 12/03/25

UKH has called for the government to delay the reduction in employer NICs threshold after hospitality business confidence hit a two-year low. Only 14% of businesses feel optimistic about the hospitality market, according to research from CGA by NIQ’s Business Confidence survey. It also called for the government’s business rates reform to provide the maximum possible discount to hospitality businesses, aligned with its plans for the high street.

Nightcap has promoted Sarah Miller to the role of chief operating officer. She first joined the bar and nightclub operator in June 2024 as director of business operations, having spent five years at Stonegate Group. She spent two years as business unit director for its late-night division, which includes Be At One, Slug and Lettuce, and Popworld. Prior to that, she was operations director for Novus, the private bar, club and restaurant operator. 

Levy UK&I has announced a 10-year extension to its partnership with Aston Villa football club. The extension will build on their collaboration, which most recently partnered on the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s hospitality spaces last summer. The partnership also includes Aston Villa’s training ground – Bodymoor Heath – where nutrition and performance chefs feed players from the men’s, women’s and Academy teams.

Foodservice inflation has fallen for the 19th consecutive month in January, according to  CGA and Prestige Purchasing’s Foodservice Price Index. Monthly inflation in the total basket of items measured by the index stood at 1.8%, while month-on-month inflation was flat. While this data brings a welcome relief on foodservice prices in hospitality, global economic and political uncertainties may still threaten the stability of prices in the months ahead.