WETHERSPOONS has revealed the exact date it plans to slash prices giving customers cheaper booze and food.
The pub chain says customers will be able to enjoy a 7.5% discount at its 827 pubs – but on Thursday, September 14 only.
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A large breakfast at Wetherspoon can cost up to £7.21 depending on where you live, but the discount means this would be £6.67, saving you 54p.
The price of beer varies across the country, but a point of Leffee Blonde can cost up to £6.85 in London.
This will be reduced to £6.16 on September 14.
The move is designed to highlight Tax Equality Day and the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry.
Pubs and restaurants pay 20% VAT, but Spoons founder and chairman Tim Martin says the law is “unfair” to the hospitality sector.
He said: “The biggest threat to the hospitality industry is the vast disparity in tax treatment among pubs, restaurants and supermarkets.
“Supermarkets pay zero VAT in respect of food sales, whereas pubs and restaurants pay 20%
“This tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer.
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“Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades, because of the tax disadvantages which they have with supermarkets.”
He has claimed that the higher rate for pubs puts supermarkets at an unfair advantage.
Grocers don’t pay VAT on food and so can pass that saving on to customers by selling discounted booze.
It comes at at time when restaurant and pub chains across the country have been closing venues due to soaring energy bills and high inflation.
Just under 4,600 premises closed over the year to March say the industry experts at consumer research brands CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners.
Wetherspoons itself has closed 29 pubs since it announced in September last year that it was putting dozens up for sale.
The pubs which have already closed were smaller, older, or have a second Wetherspoons fairly close by, the company said in a trading update published in July.
But 13 pubs are currently under offer and at risk of closure, while nine more remain up for sale.
We have put together a handy guide to the Wetherspoons closures so you can check if your local branch is at risk of going.
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