Wetherspoons to slash prices on all food and drink - but only for one day

But this discount will be in place for one day only – on Thursday 19 September.

‘Tax Equality Day’ campaign

This annual price drop is part of the chain’s ‘Tax Equality Day’ campaign, and Wetherspoon hopes it will highlight a tax burden on the hospitality industry.

Food and drink sold in pubs is subject to 20 per cent VAT. However, supermarkets don’t have to pay this. This means that supermarkets can sell alcohol at a discounted price, while pubs cannot.

What will be included in the discount?

This 7.5 per cent discount will automatically be applied to all food and drink, including meal deals.

It means that a £10 bill will be reduced to £9.25, or a pint of beer that usually costs £2.50 will cost £2.32 instead.

Which pubs are taking part?

Out of 879 Wetherspoon pubs, over 850 Wetherspoon pubs will be taking part across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There are six registered Wetherspoon pubs in Portsmouth, including The Sir Alec Rose in Port Solent and The John Jacques in Fratton Road.

The chain also has pubs in Gosport, Fareham, Havant and Waterlooville.

The chain’s 15 airport pubs will not be taking part in this one day discount.

Pubs at a disadvantage

JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin explained how this 20 per cent tax put pubs at a disadvantage when trying to sell both food and drink at a competitive rate.