(Image: Press Association)The pub boss also slammed tax restrictions, claiming that pubs have an unfair advantage against supermarkets which pay "virtually no VAT". "Supermarkets pay virtually no VAT in respect of food sales, whereas pubs pay 20%," the statement said. "This has enabled supermarkets to subsidise the price of alcoholic drinks, widening the price gap, to the detriment of pubs and restaurants." The chain alleges that pubs have lost 50% of their beer sales to supermarkets in the last 35 years. "Pubs also pay around 20 pence a pint in business rates, whereas supermarkets pay only about 2 pence, creating further inequality," he added.

Source: Daily Mirror March 19, 2021 08:45 UTC