Wetherspoons Slash Prices for Tax Equality Day 2018

Wetherspoons prides themself on serving branded produce at cheap prices. That said, customers at Wetherspoons pubs across the UK will see their food and drink bill reduced (for one day only) by a further 7.5% tomorrow for Tax Equality Day 2018.

This fantastic idea is the brainchild of Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin to make customers aware of savings that could be made if the VAT for pubs and other businesses in the catering industry was lowered.

At the moment, pubs have to pay 20% VAT on all food and drinks at their premises. Supermarkets, on the other hand, benefit from a 0% VAT rate on all their food, which is how they’re able to use profit saved on buying food to subsidise undercutting pubs, enabling the supermarkets to sell alcohol based products at cheaper prices.

This Thursday (Thursday 13th September), Wetherspoons pubs up and down the country will slash their prices by 7.5% per cent during open hours. It is a bold move from the Wetherspoon Chairman, which of course, The Food And Drink are in favour for and support wholeheartedly.

A quote from Wetherspoon chairman, Tim Martin, reads: “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. 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.”

Tim Martin has the backing of leading industry organisations, UK Hospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) who are calling on their members to join in too.

Well said Mr Martin! I’ll be popping into a Wetherspoons this Thursday to enjoy some tasty discounts myself! Let us know if you did too in the comments section below…

For more information about Wetherspoon and the national Tax Equality Day, please visit the JD Wethersppon website.