The cost of a pint is out of control.
At least, that’s according to consumer organisation CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), who recently commissioned a YouGov survey into the matter.
More than half of respondents said the price of a pint of amber nectar is now unaffordable, a 24% increase from CAMRA’s last survey conducted in 2019.
Commenting, CAMRA chairman Nik Antona said: “The news that half of people think the average price of a pint is unaffordable is a cause for concern for the future of the great British pub… CAMRA is calling on governments across the UK to urgently take action to safeguard the future of the UK’s beloved locals”.
CAMRA is advocating for a lower tax rate for draught beer barrels over 20 litres as well as an energy price cap and VAT tax cut to help struggling hospitality businesses.
In July, the group also called on the government to put tied tenants at the forefront of its pubs code review.
Some pubs are expected to be more affected than others by inflation, JD Wetherspoon PLC in particular.
After a recent trading update where the company said its long-term buying deals will moderate "highly inflationary" cost increases, analysts at Peel Hunt said in the short term, the chain is "particularly exposed to the demographic groups that will be most affected by inflation".
Spoons revealed that sales of draught ales, lagers and ciders, historically the largest contributors to pub sales, were 8.0% below 2019 levels in recent months, while spirits, cocktails and food were positive.