Independent Hospitality Week 2025: Celebrating the Power of Independent & Local
- Jing Wei Lau
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
From local high streets to festival fields, independent hospitality businesses bring colour, culture, and community to every corner of the UK. This May, we’re proud to be supporting Independent Hospitality Week (IHW)—a campaign by NCASS (The Nationwide Caterers Association) to celebrate the independent cafes, street food vendors, mobile caterers, pubs, restaurants and more that keep the soul of hospitality alive.
Who is NCASS and what do they stand for?
If you’re part of the mobile catering, independent hospitality or street food world, chances are NCASS already has your back. As a national trade association, NCASS (The Nationwide Caterers Association) has been championing independent hospitality since 1987. From street food traders to small cafés and festival caterers, they provide training, safety advice, advocacy and industry insight for their members.
But more than that, they give a collective voice to the everyday economy—fighting for the recognition, support and policy change that small and micro businesses in hospitality deserve.
In light of the recent Spring Statement delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, NCASS CEO Alan Fox responded to the lack of supportive measures for small hospitality businesses with this:
“Small and micro businesses that operate at the heart of their communities continue to be ignored at the risk of hollowing out the very fabric of our communities and cultural economy.”
"NCASS will continue to fight for the interests of small hospitality and catering businesses by raising awareness, lobbying for better government support, and uniting the sector through campaigns like Independent Hospitality Week.”
What is Independent Hospitality Week (IHW)?
Taking place from 5th–11th May 2025, Independent Hospitality Week is all about choosing local, celebrating flavour, and supporting the hospitality heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes. Whether it’s your favourite food truck, a family-run bakery, or a pop-up coffee stall at your local market, this is the week to shout about what they bring to your community.
The hospitality sector contributes over £93 billion to the UK economy—but independents make up the vast majority of those businesses. According to recent figures, over 70% of food and drink establishments in the UK are independently owned.
These businesses aren't just about food—they’re about identity, community, and resilience.
We recently spoke to Roxy Bentley, Head of Marketing at NCASS:
“It’s important now more than ever to support these small businesses. They’re not just ‘nice to haves’—they are essential to our local economies.”
She adds:
“Often when you go to a small independent business, you feel like you’re going into their home. These are the people who know your name, your regular order— these relationships matter enormously.”
It’s also a rallying cry for policymakers and consumers alike: the independent sector doesn’t just serve—it sustains. These are businesses that open their doors (and hatches) every day in the face of rising costs, economic uncertainty, and limited government support.
That’s why NCASS is doubling down on its efforts to represent and support these businesses—through advocacy, community-building, and initiatives like Independent Hospitality Week that spotlight the value independents bring to the UK’s everyday economy.
We couldn’t agree more.
How does Indi Local fit into the IHW campaign?
From day one, “Indi” has stood for “independent.”
As an app built specifically for independent mobile food vendors, we share NCASS’s belief that small hospitality businesses deserve more visibility, support, and opportunities. The Indi Local app is designed to connect food lovers to street food and pop-up vendors in their area, helping local traders get discovered and grow their business. Our goal has always been to amplify the voices of independents, helping them reach more customers, connect with new event opportunities, and build loyal followings.
And it’s not just the vendors we work with. We’ve also collaborated with charities and local councils to bring people together around great food. Just recently, we teamed up with students from the University of Northampton to support a charity multicultural market raising funds for The Hope Centre Northampton, which provides vital services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
These events remind us that street food is more than just delicious—it’s community-powered. The traders we work with aren’t just serving meals; they’re enriching local culture, sparking conversations, and giving back.
And this May, to celebrate Independent Hospitality Week, we’re proud to be collaborating with NCASS to highlight the stories behind the street food. As part of our social media campaign, we’ll be interviewing independent food vendors about their journeys, challenges, and why independent hospitality matters.
We’ll be sharing these stories across our platforms during IHW — to shine a light on the people behind the pop-ups, and to invite everyone to support local.
How you can get involved
As a foodie:
This Independent Hospitality Week, make a conscious choice to support local. Whether it’s grabbing a bite from your favourite food truck, picking up your morning coffee from an independent café, or discovering a street food vendor near you — every purchase makes a difference.
Not sure where to find great street food?
📍 Check the Indi Local app to see who’s trading near you and explore the amazing vendors serving your area (especially if you're in the South Midlands 😉).
Want to show your support online?
📲 Follow the official @independenthospitalityweek Instagram campaign
🎥 Repost IHW videos and our upcoming vendor spotlight interviews on @indi.local to help spread the word
💬 Share your own local favourites with a shoutout — a simple post really does go a long way
And if you’re feeling passionate about protecting your local food scene, there’s one more powerful thing you can do:
📩 Write to your MP and ask them to support Independent Hospitality Week and the small businesses that power our communities. You can use the draft email template provided by NCASS here.
As a vendor:
Independent Hospitality Week is a great opportunity to celebrate what makes your business unique. Whether it’s your story, your team, or your food — this is a chance to reflect on your journey and share it with the people who’ve supported you along the way.
🧡 Share a thank-you message to your customers
🧡 Post a behind-the-scenes reel or a special moment from your journey
🧡 Create a limited-edition IHW menu or small offer for the week
🧡 Download some printable posters provided by NCASS and pop it up at your stall or pitch
As a venue or event organiser:
We’re seeing a growing appetite for local flavour at public and private events. If you’re planning something and want to showcase the best of local hospitality, open your doors to independents and collaborate with local vendors to create unforgettable experiences.
And if you have the time, we’d love for you to help shine a light on the wider community of independents too.
📣 Let your customers, friends, and followers know about Independent Hospitality Week
📣 Give a shoutout to the independents you love across your socials
📣 Share the official campaign posts and nominate others to do the same
It’s a small gesture, but when lots of us do it together, it can have a big impact. Let’s show just how much independent hospitality means to all of us.
This Independent Hospitality Week, let’s back the people behind the plates. The vendors, chefs, servers, and organisers who show up rain or shine—not just to serve food, but to serve the community.
Indi Local is proud to stand with NCASS and every independent in hospitality.
Let’s raise a toast to the Indi(e)s.
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