Wetherspoons slashing menu prices across pubs tomorrow

Wetherspoon is slashing menu prices across all pubs tomorrow. Tim Martin has confirmed the move to mark "Tax Equality Day" which is a promotion the pub chain uses to try and push a permanent cut to VAT for hospitality venues.

Normally, all food and drinks in pubs are subject to 20% VAT however, supermarkets pay zero VAT on the food they sell. Menu prices will be cut by 7.5% on Thursday, September 12. It means customers can get a large Spoons breakfast for just £9.25.

A breakfast wrap, normally priced at £6.21, would cost £5.75, giving a saving of 46p. A pint of Bud Light, usually priced at around £4.42, would cost you £4.09 and a 500ml bottle of Kopparberg cider, usually priced at £5.64, would cost £5.22.

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Wetherspoon boss Mr Martin says supermarkets use their VAT savings to "sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price". The pub chain owner has been a big supporter of cutting VAT to 12.5% and says the "vast disparity in tax treatment" among pubs, restaurants and supermarkets is one of the "biggest threats" to the hospitality industry.

Speaking out ahead of the latest instalment of the now-annual tradition, Mr Martin went on and said: "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% 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."

He signs off by saying: "We call on the chancellor to create tax equality between the hospitality industry and supermarkets.”