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Wetherspoon Cuts Prices by 7.5% Today to Press Case for VAT Change

The chain says the one-day discount shows how a lower 12.5% VAT could help pubs compete with zero-rated supermarket food.

Overview

  • The one-day reduction is live across roughly 794 pubs, with the offer covering all food and drink in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and applying only to food and non-alcoholic drinks in Scotland.
  • JD Wetherspoon frames the move as its Tax Equality Day campaign, highlighting that hospitality pays 20% VAT while most supermarket food is zero-rated.
  • Founder Tim Martin is urging the chancellor to cut hospitality VAT to 12.5%, arguing it would help venues stay open, invest and create jobs.
  • UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association and CAMRA have publicly supported the push for a lower VAT rate.
  • Customers save 75p per £10 spent with the discount automatically applied, and some outlets reported example prices such as a £1.66 pint for today only.