If you thought the cost of a pint couldn't possibly get any higher, think again. You may never have heard of Stonegate but it happens to be the UK’s largest pub chain, owning the likes of Slug and Lettuce, Be At One and Yates’s bars. And it has just announced that it will be increasing prices at peak times in 800 of its 4,500 venues.
Stonegate’s new ‘price-variance system’ could see the price of a pint go up by 20p and other reports suggest the hike could be as high as £1.50 on evenings and weekends. Apparently the extra cash is needed to cover bouncers, glass washing and extra cleaning
Signs have popped up in the windows of its venues reading: ‘Dynamic Pricing. Polite Notice. Dynamic pricing is currently live in this venue during this peak trading session.’
As expected, there’s been plenty of backlash on social media. One user posted: ‘Absolutely outrageous. Boycott these venues.’ Carlton Tavern, a London-based pub, tweeted: ‘Just a stealthy price increase for more transient guests basically. Or as you more eloquently put it an ‘unhappy hour’! Sharp tactics however you look at it but those huge refurbs and investments have to be paid for somewhere I guess!’
These are the brands and venues owned by Stonegate that could be affected by the new pricing:
Scream
Slug & Lettuce
Tattershall Castle
Henry’s Café Bar
Yates’s
Missoula
Social Squirrel
Flares & Reflex
Popworld
The Living Room
Retro
Sports Bar & Grill
Walkabout
Be At One
Fever Bars
Tank & Paddle
The Liquorist
Great UK Pubs
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