Tax Equality
On Thursday 12 September, Wetherspoon’s pubs are to cut the price of all food and drinks by 7.5 per cent – to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.
Tax Equality Day
How much was your round today?
If VAT was reduced in the hospitality industry to create greater parity between pubs and supermarkets, prices you pay will be lower. All prices reduced by 7.5% on Tax Equality Day – Thu 12 September.
Which would have today saved you:
Prices at the pubs will be reduced for one day only to mark Tax Equality Day (in Scotland, in line with Scottish licensing laws, prices will be reduced on food and non-alcoholic drinks only).
For example, a customer spending £10 on food and drinks will pay only £9.25 on Tax Equality Day.
All food and drinks in pubs are subject to 20 per cent VAT.
In comparison, supermarkets pay zero VAT on food and are able to use that saving to sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price.
Wetherspoon’s founder and chairman, Tim Martin, 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, bars and restaurants pay 20 per cent.
“This tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer.
“Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades, because of the tax disadvantages which they have with supermarkets.
“It doesn’t make sense for the hospitality industry to subsidise supermarkets.
“A VAT cut to 12.5 per cent is needed to ensure that pubs, bars and restaurants do not continue to close, but instead thrive, invest and create new jobs.
“Customers coming to Wetherspoon’s pubs on Thursday 12 September will find the price of their food and drinks to be lower than normal.
“We call on the chancellor to create tax equality between the hospitality industry and supermarkets.”
Discount does not apply to alcohol in Scotland, owing to licensing regulations. Subject to local licensing restrictions and availability at participating free houses. J D Wetherspoon plc reserves the right to withdraw/change offers (without notice), at any time. See main menus and customer information screen for allergen information, symbol explanations and additional details of our terms and conditions.
