29-04-2025
Britain's biggest pub chain hikes prices of drinks by 4% with could add up to 20p onto the cost of a pint
Britain's biggest pub chain has hiked prices of drinks by four per cent - in a move that could add 20p onto the cost of a pint.
Stonegate Group, which owns bars including Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout, Be At One and Popworld, is set to increase prices for its leased and tenanted pubs to get booze from May 2.
The prices are likely to then be put onto customers, which could add as much as 25p onto the price of a pint.
The weighted average duty inclusive selling price - a calculation determining the average cost of goods considering their weight and tax - will rise by 8.2 per cent for cider.
Wine and spirits will also both be hiked by more than 6.5 per cent.
Stonegate Group, who operate more than 4,500 sites across the country, blamed price rises on 'considerable economic uncertainty' as they said boozers continue to be 'disproportionately impacted' by energy and staff costs.
They told pub trade outlet The Morning Advertiser: 'This increase reflects the significant inflationary pressures and ongoing challenges faced by our sector, as well as our ongoing commitment to partner with our publicans to enable them to continue to play a vital role in the communities they serve.'
A spokesman for Stonegate added to MailOnline that they expected other chains to also be putting the price of beer up by at least 10-15p.
He said: 'Our annual price review this year reflects the significant cost pressures and challenges faced by our sector over the last 12 months.
'We are absolutely committed to supporting our publicans, enabling them to continue to play the vital role in the communities they serve.'
It comes despite the Chancellor cutting draught duty by a meagre 1.7 per cent in the October budget, with cash-strapped Brits branding it a 'f***ing joke'.
Industry bosses accused Labour of 'betraying' businesses and rowing back on its election pledges - with new celebrity publican Jeremy Clarkson calling Keir Starmer's government 'hopeless'.
In a scathing critique Mr Clarkson, who opened his £1million pub in the Cotswolds last year, wrote on X: 'Rachel Reeves. I literally daren't comment,' before adding. 'We have a new government. It's turning out to be hopeless.'
And his former Top Gear co-host James May lamented: 'Cripes: a penny off a pint of beer. This is a small step to putting the 'great' back in to United Kingdom.'
It comes just a month after Guinness manufacturers Diageo revealed the price of a pint of the black stuff would be hiked by 4.2 per cent from May 1.
It will affect Guinness sold in a keg, microdraught and Guinness Surger - although 0.0 and Guiness Draght in a can will not be affected.
