JD Wetherspoons across the country, including those in Bury, will cut the price of all food and drinks in its pubs next week.

For one day only on 23 September, the price of food and drink will be slashed by 7.5 per cent.

More than just a good deal for customers, to move is to mark Tax Equity Day and is to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.

At present, all pub food and drinks are subject to five per cent VAT as a result of the VAT cut brought in by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in July 2020 to stimulate business growth in the face of Covid difficulties.

However, this is set to stop on Friday 1 October, when the VAT rate will rise to 12.5 per cent, with the aim of returning to 20 per cent, in stages, by 2022.

By comparison, supermarkets pay zero VAT on food and are able to use that saving to sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price.

Wetherspoons chairman, Tim Martin, said: “Taxes should be fair and equitable.

 “However, it is unfair that supermarkets pay zero VAT on food, but pubs and restaurants, in normal circumstances, pay 20 per cent.

“Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades, owing to the tax disadvantages which they have with supermarkets.

“Customers in our pubs on Tax Equality Day will find that the price of their food and drinks will be lower than normal.

“However, as a result of the VAT increase to 12.5 per cent, we will have to increase food prices by around 50p per meal.

“We urge the chancellor to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets by making permanent the current VAT régime for pubs.

“He should note that the main impact of tax inequality is on high streets and town and city centres, which depend heavily on a diversity of prosperous hospitality businesses for economic, social and employment success.”

Discount does not apply to alcohol in Scotland owing to licensing regulations and it also excludes airports.

Where are Wetherspoon pubs in Bury?

There are 870 Wetherspoon pubs across the UK (not including the Republic of Ireland) where food and drink prices will be reduced for one day only – and 2 of them are in Bury.

They are: 

  • The Art Picture House, Haymarket Street
  • The Robert Peel, Market Place