Photograph by Simon Cocks
Thousands of pubs and restaurants across the UK are lowering their food and drink prices for today only to persuade the government to reduce VAT on such products in the hospitality sector.
Locations, including the JD Wetherspoons and Pizza Hut chains, are trimming their prices by 7.5% as part of a Europe-wide campaign to reduce levels of VAT from 20% down to 5% to allow them to better compete with supermarkets.
Restaurants and pubs have long been losing out to supermarket sales. People drink out less often, instead choosing to buy their alcohol from supermarkets at a lower cost and enjoy the beer, win, or spirits at home.
By reducing the rate of tax paid by pubs and restaurants, the industry believes that the lower prices would persuade more people to drink and eat out during these times of austerity, creating jobs and prompting further investment in the sector.
