Wetherspoon’s pubs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be cutting the price of all food and drink by 7.5% on the 20 September, as part of national tax equality day to promote the benefit of a VAT reduction in the hospitality industry
Pubs in Scotland will also be participating, instead reducing the price of all food and soft drinks by 7.5%, as different licensing rules means the discount cannot apply to alcohol.
Currently food and drink in pubs is subject to 20% VAT, whereas no VAT is charged for food sold in supermarkets.
Wetherspoon’s chairman, Tim Martin, said: ‘We are proud to support the campaign to reduce the level of VAT in the pub industry. On Tax Equality Day, customers in our pubs will find the price of their drinks and food to be lower than normal. We are keen to highlight the amount which customers would save, if VAT in pubs were lowered permanently.’
This means that someone visiting a Wetherspoons today who spends £10 on food and drink will only pay £9.25.
Martin said: ‘A reduction in the level of VAT, on a long-term basis, will generate growth and create jobs in the important leisure and hospitality sector. Creating tax equality among pubs, restaurants and supermarkets will fulfil many government objectives.
‘It will create more jobs and raise the amount of taxes which the government receives, since pubs and restaurants pay more taxes and create more jobs than supermarkets do.
‘It is a win-win situation for the government and our industry.’
Report by Amy Austin
