Wetherspoons is raising prices AGAIN in another blow to customers
PINT prices at Wetherspoons have hit a whopping £7.30 in London after the budget chain raised prices for the second time in just six months.
Bosses have confirmed that food and drink prices have risen by almost 4% – after the previous increase last August.
Last summer it was revealed that pint prices had reached a hefty £7.09 for a Leffe lager at the chain's Moon Under the Water branch in trendy Leicester Square.
And holidaymakers traveling from Gatwick, Edinburgh, Heathrow and Stanstead also had to shell out £7.10 for a Leffe. Airport prices have not increased.
Now researchers have discovered that the price of some brews in trendy London shops now exceeds or is just a few pence below the £7 mark.
Spoon fans at the Moon Under the Water now pay £7.30 for a pint of Leffe, £7.09 for a pint of Mad Squirrel Big Sea West Coast IPA and £6.98 for a San Miguel or Windsor & Eton Treason West Coast IPA.
Supping fans will also now have to pay £6.88 for favorites including a pint of Stella Artois – a 20p increase on the old price of £6.68 – and £6.66 for a Guinness.
Wetherspoon's regular customer Spencer Thompson, 48, from Wallington, south London, said: 'I feel like I'm being punched in the pocket every time I turn around.
“Every penny counts these days with the cost of living spiraling, so this comes as a real blow to Wetherspoon loved ones like me.”
Even fans of non-alcoholic drinks are being asked to spend more on popular tee-total concoctions.
Pints of Stella Artois and Heineken, low alcohol BrewDog Punk and Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime are now being asked to cough up £4.21 per pint from £4.09.
Elsewhere in the capital, a pint of Leffe costs £6.97 at the Victoria Station branch for 20 cents, while a Corona and a San Miguel cost £6.63 for 19 cents and a Stella Artois costs £6.52, also 19 cents more expensive.
In Edinburgh, a pint of Leffe Blonde at The Booking Office now costs £6.07 plus 23 cents, while a Corona, San Miguel and Staropramen are all on sale for £5.60, up 21 cents. A Tennent's costs £5.34 per 16p pint-up.
And a pint of Leffe Blonde at The Paramount in Manchester now costs £5.20 to 20p, while San Miguel and Corona cost £4.74 after an 18p rise.
Non-alcoholic options cost between £2.43 and £3.30 per pint, up between 9p and 13p.
Prices vary depending on location, meaning cheaper brews are still available outside the big cities and tourist hotspots.
At The Swatters Carr in Middlesborough, a pint of Leffe Blonde has risen by 17p but still costs just £4.45, while a pint of Worthington's Creamflow is still a low of £1.86.
Meanwhile, at The Thomas Sheraton in Stockton-on-Tees, a pint of Leffe Blonde can be bought for £4.22, despite an increase of 16p, and a Corona and San Miguel cost just £3.75 per pint – an increase of 14 cents.
Martyn James, independent consumer champion, said: “It's one of the signs of the drinks price apocalypse when the Spoons fetch £7.30 for a pint. But don't despair.
“As this research shows, if you're looking for a bargain, it's better to leave the cities and tourist attractions and head into the country for a nice pint and a relaxing day out.”
How to save money at Wetherspoons
Free refills – Buy €1.50 of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day.
Check a map – Prices may vary by location, even if they are close together. So if you're planning on having a pint at a Spoons, it's worth checking out nearby pubs to see if you can get the cheapest deal.
Choose your day – Every evening the pub chain organizes certain theme evenings with food. For example, there is a curry club every Thursday evening, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a fixed price cheaper than normal.
Collect vouchers – Students can often pick up voucher books from locals near universities with discounts on food and drinks, so keep your eyes peeled.
Request an app – The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table, but you don't have to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have taken to social media to ask their friends and family to order drinks for them. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.
Pub company JD Wetherspoon said: “Most prices in Wetherspoon pubs have increased by 3.95% from Thursday 1 February.
“Some prices have risen less. Ruddles Bitter is up 1%. Bud Light lager, Stowford Press Cider and Doom Bar bitters are up 2%. Pepsi's appetite has not increased.
“The average increase for all bar and food products is 3%.”
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: “Wetherspoon, like most pub companies, has seen some major cost increases.
“We believe our prices will remain competitive even after these changes.”
Last year the chain – which has 827 pubs across the UK – warned it would put dozens of pubs up for sale.
Punters were devastated to discover locals such as The Percy Shaw in Halifax were closing.
On social media, someone said: “Wow, another piece of history gone.”
While another said: “Sad times.”
We have a full list of Wetherspoons pubs that have closed for good and remain available to interested buyers.