Wetherspoon cuts prices at Sheffield pubs after VAT announcement - here's how much a pint will cost
and live on Freeview channel 276
The pub chain says it is passing on the savings to customers after chancellor Rishi Sunak announced VAT on food and non-alcoholic drinks from pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés was being temporarily slashed from 20 per cent to five per cent to help the industry recover from the coronavirus crisis.
The price cuts will coincide with the start of the six-month tax break this Wednesday, July 15.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are the new prices Wetherspoon says will apply at 764 pubs across the UK:
Ruddles Bitter: pint now £1.29 (down 50p, on average)
Doom Bar: pint now £1.79 (down 31p)
Abbot Ale: pint now £1.99 (down 40p)
Guest beers: pint now £1.99 (down 26p).
Lavazza coffee and tea: now £1.29 (down 16p)
Diet Pepsi: 14oz glass now £1.69 (down 11p)
Pepsi: 14oz glass now £1.79 (down 11p)
Breakfasts: now £3.49 (down 41p)
Pizza and a soft drink: now starting from £5.49 (down 66p)
Burger and a soft drink: now starting from £4.99 (down 66p).
Wetherspoon said prices for real ale would be up to £1 higher at 103 of its pubs located in major town and city centres, airports and stations but that prices there would still be reduced by at least 10p per drink and 20p per meal.
Company founder and chairman Tim Martin said Wetherspoon had been campaigning for ‘tax equality’ between pubs, restaurants and supermarkets for years and praised Mr Sunak for acting.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe claimed the move would help pubs and restaurants fight back against supermarkets, which he said had benefited for too long from lower VAT rates, creating more jobs and boosting struggling high streets.
“Not every UK hospitality business will be able to reduce prices immediately,” he added.
“Some will need to retain the benefit of lower VAT just to stay in business. Others may need to invest in upgrading their premises.
“However, lower VAT and tax equality will eventually lead to lower prices, more employment, busier high streets and more taxes for the government.”