Big hitters to join key conference on the hospitality sector

20/05/2022

The future of the hospitality industry will be in the spotlight next month when politicians and the movers and shakers in the industry come together for a key conference.

The UKHospitality Summer Conference will be focussing on how to make the best use of levelling up and how the sector can play its part in driving the UK economy. It will take place on Tuesday 7 June, at the Hilton London Bankside in London, with a packed agenda that looks at the sector’s role in ‘levelling up’ and driving sector and UK recovery forward.

Who will be attending the conference?

The gathering will see Government MPs and local mayors, other speakers include Sarah Willingham, former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur and founder of Nightcap and Luke Johnson, former chairman of Pizza Express.

Also joining them will be Nisha Katona MBE, CEO, Executive Chef and Development Chef of Mowgli Street Food, and Suzanne Baker, Commercial & Property Director at Stonegate Group.

It comes as measures unveiled in the Queen’s Speech this month could prove a major boost for embattled high street hospitality outlets.

Renting out empty property will help regeneration

Under the proposed legislation, commercial property landlords could be forced to rent out empty properties as part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

The measure is designed to help regenerate the UK’s high streets. The move has come after many premises closed as a result of the move to internet shopping and the effects of the pandemic.

It creates a new power to require landlords to put retail units that had been vacant for more than a year into a compulsory rental auction, overseen by local authorities.

Why is this happening?

The Government says it wants to reduce the number of boarded-up premises on the high street and open up opportunities for new enterprises and community groups. They say this should bring people back into town and boost the local economy.

The increased footfall should be a major boost for the sector, particularly with the new pavement café culture which will allow premises to place more tables outside and attract more custom.

Gathering to discuss catalysts for growth

On the agenda at the conference will be how, with the right support, the sector can become a catalyst for nationwide economic growth and the role it can play in the levelling up agenda.

The industry’s progress in sustainability, business recovery and the plan to develop a highly-skilled workforce for the future, will also be a key topic.

There will be exclusive data from STR – which provides data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry – plus insight and advice from business leaders and high-level networking opportunities for delegates.

Both members and non-members are welcome to attend, and tickets are available now from ukhevents.com.

For more information and advice on related hospitality matters please contact our expert team.