Tax Equality Day, And The Rise Of Alcohol Free – Beer Today

Wetherspoon pubs will cut the price of all food and drinks by 7.5% on Thursday, to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry. For example, a customer spending £10 on food and drinks will pay only £9.25 on Tax Equality Day. All food and drinks in pubs are subject to 20% VAT. In comparison, supermarkets pay zero VAT on food and are able to use that saving to sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price. “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,” said Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin. “Customers coming to Wetherspoon’s pubs on Thursday, 18th September will find the price of their food and drinks to be lower than normal. We call on the chancellor to create tax equality between the hospitality industry and supermarkets.” In Scotland, in line with Scottish licensing laws, prices will be reduced on food and non-alcoholic drinks only. • Turnover at Hydes rose to ££40,805,736 in the year to 31st March, although pre-tax profit was down from £1,935,948 to £1,404,868. “Another above inflation lift in the national minimum wage and significantly higher national insurance costs mean strong headwinds remain for the new financial year,” said non-executive chairman, Richard Lancaster. “Allied to this is a fall in consumer confidence driven by above-inflation rises across a host of household bills, which is sure to put pressure on disposable income and in turn our sales line. “However, actions taken and our performance in the last 21 months has laid a strong foundation for the new financial year.” • The number of new UK trademark filings for non-alcoholic beer and cider surged 20% to 1,003 from 833 and 19% to 515 from 433 respectively in the last two years, according to intellectual property law firm Mathys & Squire. The firm says that the number of new alcohol-free trademarks and brands being launched reflects the growing importance of the segment to the drinks industry.  In 2024, non-alcoholic beer trademarks accounted for 37% of all 2,737 beer trademarks and 66% of all the 782 filings for ciders. These figures show that non-alcoholic brands are on the rise as beverage companies continue to respond to demographic shifts around alcohol consumption. The surge in non-alcoholic drinks reflects a decline in alcohol consumption by Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), which has a higher proportion of individuals who prefer alcohol-free options. • Three Cheers Pub Co is to open The Trafalgar Public House on the King’s Road, in Chelsea, London – a former banking hall – next month. The company promises “a stunning British pub serving excellent food and drink”. A basement space will be dedicated to live entertainment and private parties. • Amber Taverns has acquired a pub in Helensburgh, Scotland, to add to an estate of more than 180 venues. Property director Sam Frankland said Scotland was a key focus for the company. “We have a strong pipeline, and new openings have included Motherwell and Airdrie, with Bathgate due to open in September. We continue to seek new opportunities across the UK.”