More than 90 per cent of London pubs have had to increase alcoholic drink prices in the last six months as landlords battle spiralling costs, a poll revealed today.
The price of a gin and tonic has soared to more than £10 in many central London bars, while customers can expect to pay upwards of £7 for a pint in some areas.
The capital’s pubs have seen a 50 per cent decline in footfall, while six in 10 report profits dropping, a survey by the UK Spirits Alliance and research firm Survation found.
Landlords are pressuring Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to slash alcohol duty, particularly for spirits, in next month’s Budget. Spirits make up one third of drinks sold in bars, pubs and restaurants but have a higher rate of tax imposed on them compared with beer.
Neema Rai, the founder of London’s Tamesis Dock and Battersea Barge pubs, said: “We are home to some of the best bars and mixologists in the world but the only way to develop, sustain and grow on this success is by remaining competitive.
The spring Budget must take in to account the huge leap of progress that the country has made across the board with its burst of independent craft breweries and distillers. While they have supported the beer industry, they must also support the spirit industry so that they can also have all the tools to survive and thrive.”