First Spoons, now Marston’s – who’s next?
One of Britain’s biggest pub chains, Marston’s Brewery, is set to hike up the price of its pint by 45p as a result of soaring energy prices and the “spiralling costs” still being faced by pub landlords following lockdown.
In a Sun exclusive, Marston’s Brewery has revealed that the average prices of its pints will increase by anywhere between 2o and 45p in the coming days and weeks.
There are more than 1,500 Marston’s pubs around the UK and while the average cost of a pint had lingered around £3.96 previously, many in the Midlands and the North of England will now see that £4 threshold for such a pint breached.
This comes not long after Wetherspoons, one of Britain’s cheapest and most popular pub chains, also announced they would be raising their prices by as much as 50p.
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A spokesman for Marston’s said: “The price increase is a direct impact of the soaring energy prices and operating costs as being experienced by all businesses and households across the country.”
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), draught ale has been the worst hit this year, suffered its biggest price jump since records began; pints are now up more than six per cent compared to before the pandemic when the average cost was £3.73.
Steve Alton, the CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping, said “margins are being squeezed across every area” which is now forcing them to pass on costs to drinkers.
Meanwhile, Nik Antona, who represents the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “Our pubs have been under significant financial pressure following two years of lockdowns, restrictions and partial closures, which is feeding these increases.”
“From rising energy bills and the cost of goods going up, to VAT increases and the end of business rates holidays, pub owners are feeling the squeeze from all sides”, says Nik, urging for more support to be given to local communities and their beloved boozers.
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