'Ancient institution of the pub' being put at risk by high tax

The outspoken boss of Wetherspoon says that the ancient institution of the pub is at risk due to sky-high taxes.

As he revealed sales are still below pre-pandemic levels despite a surge over Christmas, Tim Martin said the disparity between taxes on pubs and supermarkets was the biggest threat to a recovery from Covid.

He argued that supermarkets can sell beer on the cheap because they pay no VAT on food sales, whereas pubs and restaurants pay 20 per cent.

And he lambasted rivals for not pushing the issue. Martin said: Unless the industry campaigns strongly for equality, it will inevitably shrink relative to supermarkets, which will not help high streets, tourism, the economy overall, or the ancient institution of the pub.