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JD Wetherspoon to Cut Prices by 7.5% on Thursday to Press for VAT Change

The one-day Tax Equality Day discount seeks to highlight the 20% VAT pubs pay versus zero on supermarket food.

Overview

  • All Wetherspoon pubs will reduce food and drink prices by 7.5% on Thursday, 18 September, equating to a saving of 75p per £10 spent.
  • The move is a public push for a permanent hospitality VAT cut to 12.5%, a change chairman Tim Martin says would help keep pubs open.
  • UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association and CAMRA have publicly endorsed the one-day campaign.
  • Wetherspoon argues the VAT gap lets supermarkets use tax-free food sales to subsidise cheaper alcohol, putting pubs at a disadvantage.
  • In Scotland, the discount will apply to food and non-alcoholic drinks only in line with licensing rules.