The average price of a pint of draught lager is edging towards a fiver, according to official figures. Last month, it hit a new high of £4.67, marking a 12.5% increase in a year and a 5p rise from the previous month. Meanwhile, the cost of bitter has also increased, reaching £3.89 per pint last month, up 5p from September. The Office for National Statistics revealed that bitter's average price was £3.54 last year and £2.81 a decade ago.
"Save our Sups" campaign calls for relief on alcohol duty and business rates
Just days ago, landlords, brewers, and distillers urged Jeremy Hunt to take action and "Save our Sups". They called for a freeze on alcohol duty and an extension of business rates relief, as highlighted by HOAR. The Campaign for Real Ale, a consumer group for beer enthusiasts, echoed this plea. Its CEO, Tom Stainer, also suggested that the Chancellor could address the soaring energy costs faced by pubs and their suppliers.
Pint prices become an unaffordable luxury, risking pub closures
Stainer emphasized that rising pint prices are the result of increasing cost-of-living and cost-of-doing business expenses. Publicans are faced with a difficult choice between raising prices or going out of business. Unfortunately, this may deter customers and lead them to stay at home instead. Stainer warned that this trend could further damage the pub and brewery trade, resulting in more closures and the loss of important community hubs.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/money/barclays-to-close-16-more-branches-is-your-local-one-of-them/
