Legislation

Details of legislation and government decisions that affect the operation of your business, plus advice to help you avoid falling foul of the law.

Restaurants urged to apply for business rates relief

25-Apr-2017 By Sophie Witts

A £300m relief fund set up to help operators hit by rising business rates is now available for local councils to share out, the government has said.

Licensing Act in need of 'radical overhaul'

04-Apr-2017 By Sophie Witts

The 2003 Licensing Act is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and in need of a complete overhaul, according to a House of Lords Committee.

Zuma London wins High Court name battle against pet food company

29-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Zuma, the London restaurant opened in 2002 by chef Rainer Becker, has won its court case against a pet food company using the Zuma name.

Browns Brasserie & Bar achieves gluten-free Coeliac UK accreditation

28-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Browns Brasserie & Bar, the 25-strong UK restaurant group, has achieved Coeliac UK accreditation for its newly-launched gluten-free menu.

UK small businesses admit to struggling with financial management

22-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

One in five (22%) UK small businesses admits to struggling with day-to-day financial management, a new survey has found.

BHA welcomes quicker food hygiene re-inspections

20-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Restaurants can now have their food hygiene rating re-evaluated as soon as they make improvements, rather than waiting months or years, in a move welcomed by the British Hospitality Association (BHA).

“Women paid more” hospitality stats don’t apply to restaurants or pubs

17-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Statistics showing that women earn more than men in hospitality do not apply to restaurants or pubs.

Hospitality expert cautiously welcomes National Insurance U-turn

16-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

A hospitality specialist has commended the Chancellor’s U-turn on National Insurance contributions for self-employed people, but warned industry workers to watch out for replacement taxes or cuts.

Zero hours contracts reach record high, but hospitality fares well

03-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

The number of workers in Britain on zero hours contracts (ZHCs) has reached a record high at 910,000 people, although hospitality is not the worst affected sector.

Eating out could see 35.5 per cent spend boost if VAT drops in Spring Budget

01-Mar-2017 By Hannah Thompson

The restaurant and eating out sector could benefit from increased consumer spend if a reduction in VAT is announced in the Spring Budget, says a new report. 

Mandatory Scores on the Doors will affect 43,000 businesses

07-Feb-2017 By Stefan Chomka

More than 43,000 restaurants and catering businesses across England could be affected when a law to make it compulsory for places that serve or sell food to display their food hygiene rating comes into force in 2019.

BHA: Uncertain times mean UK hospitality must be competitive

31-Jan-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Uncertain political and economic times mean it is more important than ever that the UK hospitality and tourism industry can compete, Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) has warned.

Beware workplace dress codes: Businesses risk fines, new MPs report says

25-Jan-2017 By Hannah Thompson

Businesses and employers should ensure they know the rules regarding dress code and gender laws, or risk fines, a new government report has recommended.

Restaurant chains' sustainable fish use rises but diners still unsure

20-Jan-2017 By Hannah Thompson

High street restaurant chains have been commended for their increasing use of sustainable fish and seafood, but still need to increase information given to diners, a new report has concluded.

Industry to Theresa May: make immigration system flexible

18-Jan-2017 By Emma Eversham

Tourism trade association UKinbound is urging Prime Minister Theresa May to create an immigration system that is ‘flexible’ to the needs of the UK’s hospitality and tourism sectors as well as create ‘the best possible trading environment for goods and...