The Hippodrome in March to cut food and drink prices by 7.5% for one day

A March pub is to cut the price of all food and drink by more than 7% for one day only to highlight the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction.

Prices at The Hippodrome on Dartford Road will be reduced by 7.5% on Thursday to mark Tax Equality Day in the Wetherspoon pub.

So, for example, a customer spending £10 on food and drink will pay £9.25 on Tax Equality Day. All food and drink in pubs is subject to 20% VAT.

Phil Taylorhe, the pub’s manager, said: “Customers coming to The Hippodrome on Thursday will find the price of their food and drink is lower than normal.

“It’s unfair that supermarkets pay zero VAT on food, but pubs pay 20%.

“Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades due to the tax disadvantages it has with supermarkets.

“The tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer. A VAT cut to 12.5% is needed to ensure that pubs continue to thrive.

“We urge the chancellor to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets.”