Wetherspoons slashes price of a pint by 20p to 'show how Brexit will cut costs'

6 September 2019, 10:48

Enjoying a pint is set to get a little cheaper
Enjoying a pint is set to get a little cheaper. Picture: PA

By Kate Buck

Wetherspoons has slashed the price of every pint by 20p, claiming it shows how Brexit will reduce costs.

From today, more than 600 Wetherspoon pubs will sell a pint of Ruddles for £1.69.

Another 160 will offer a pint for £1.59 or less, while around 36 pubs will sell a pint for £1.39.

The chain's Brexit-supporting chairman Tim Martin said leaving the customs union on October 31 would allow the Government to end "protectionist tariffs".

It is the latest Brexit-related move by Wetherspooon, which has shown its commitment to leaving the EU by selling more English and Australian wines over European brands.

Tim Martin said: "At the current time customers and businesses pay tariffs on thousands of products which are imported from outside the EU.

"These tariffs are collected by the UK Government and sent to Brussels. Provided we leave the customs union on October 31, the Government can end these protectionist tariffs, which will reduce prices in supermarkets and pubs.

"In order to illustrate this point, Wetherspoon has decided to reduce the price of Ruddles bitter, brewed by Greene King.

"A lot of politicians have misled the public by suggesting leaving the customs union would be a 'cliff edge' or 'disaster'.

"This is the reverse of the truth. Ending tariffs will reduce prices."

Ruddles is one of the most popular beers sold in Wetherspoon pubs.

Where it isn't available, Greene King IPA or Caledonian Deuchars will be included in the reduced price.