Wetherspoons Tax Free Day 2019: Wetherspoon Cuts Drinks Prices By 7.5%

Finally the day has arrived. It's been a long time coming but a big happy tax equality day' to everyone. For those of you who have no idea what this is, for one day a year JD Wetherspoon slashes the price of everything on the menu by 7.5%.

This offer runs across all UK pubs and the discount will be automatically deducted at the till. Literally all food and drink is included, even special offers. But it's only today (Thursday 19 September).

How much will you save? Well, let me do some quick sums for you - if you have a £10 bill, you would only pay £9.25. That's right, kids, that means a huge 75p off for you.

If you're not into buying rounds, a pint that would cost £2.50 would only be £2.32.

It might not seem that groundbreaking for us, but 'Tax Equality Day' is part of the budget pub chain's campaign to highlight how damaging tax is to the hospitality industry, suggesting that if the tax was lower, those discounts could, in theory, be passed on to the customer.

Or, if they weren't they'd add up to a huge profit for the pubs.

All food and drink sold in pubs has a 20 per cent VAT amount added. This is in comparison to other areas that have no VAT at all - meaning that supermarkets are able to sell alcohol for cheaper, unlike pubs.

As a result, supermarkets are able to sell alcohol at a discounted price - something pubs can't do.

Tim Martin said: "Pubs suffer a huger disadvantage, paying about 16 pence in business rates per pint versus about two pence for supermarkets.

"In addition, there is a huge VAT inequality and unfairness.

"A reduction in the level of VAT, on a long-term basis, will create a level playing field and generate growth and jobs in the important leisure and hospitality sector and help the high street, of which pubs are an integral part."

Union UK Hospitality are all for the campaign, saying it is highlighting an important issue.

Kate Nicholls, from the union, said: "Pubs are paying around one third of their turnover in tax, which seriously restricts their ability to invest in their venues and staff, and increases prices for customers.

"A cut in the rate of VAT for the hospitality sector could help to address this unfairness and allow pubs and bars to invest in their businesses and staff members, and provide even greater choice for customers."

Featured Image Credit: JD Wetherspoon

Topics: Viral, Food, UK News, Wetherspoon, Money, Interesting, Drinks, Beer

Edward Watkinson

Ed Watkinson is a content strategist and editor at LADbible Group. Ed works across both marketing and editorial and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8, Extinct and Trash Isle campaigns.

@edwatki