JD Wetherspoon PLC (LSE:JDW) has taken issue with the Daily Mail after the paper claimed food and drinks prices had risen by more than they actually had.
The pub chain disputed a number of inaccuracies including a claim that "pint prices at the chain's airport and certain city pubs were revealed to have rocketed to an eye watering £7".
Wetherspoon's pointed out the price of a pint has risen to over £7 in one pub - The Moon under Water, Leicester Square for those wondering - but said no other draught product has and the claim is misleading.
"While the company's prices do vary from location to location, a price survey carried out by the company's pubs into pricing at their nearest competitors in April 2023 showed that the competitors' drinks prices were, on average, 43% more expensive than Wetherspoon and competitors' food prices were, on average, 33% more expensive than Wetherspoon," it said in a statement.
It also took issue with an article of 15 August headlined: "Wetherspoons delivers a major blow to punters wanting a cheap bite to eat as it hikes food prices by 13% - how much has YOUR favourite meal gone up by?"
The report said the price of a ham and cheddar cheese panini was stated correctly as £5.53 but failed to notify readers that this price also included a free soft drink.
The price of an all day brunch with an alcoholic drink was stated as £11.11 when the correct price is £10.82.
Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: "It is important for the press to maintain a reputation of providing accurate information for the public."