Steven Hesketh

This might feel like slightly old news now, but I don’t think the conversation has gone away. In fact, since Chester Zoo first raised the issue back in March, it has gathered considerably more momentum. And having operated outdoor events ourselves, I completely understand why. In March 2026, Chester Zoo led a campaign calling for changes to the way weather forecasts are displayed on apps. Importantly, they weren’t questioning the accuracy of the forecast itself. Their argument was about how...

Tom Kerridge has called for the Government to create a dedicated Ministry for Hospitality. And I agree with him. Because, if I’m honest, I find it quite frustrating that we are still having this conversation. Hospitality is one of the biggest employers in the country. It supports millions of jobs, contributes billions to the economy and is made up of businesses that are often working on incredibly tight margins. Yet when decisions are made that directly affect us, we still seem to be spread...

There has been a lot of discussion this week about relaxing working rules for 16 and 17-year-olds, particularly around evening and weekend work. UKHospitality has backed the idea, and so do I. Somewhere along the way, I think we have become so focused on protecting young people from anything remotely difficult that we are in danger of protecting them from the very experiences that help them grow up. And work is one of those experiences, if not the most important to future prospects. A...