'Pint of beer for 21p is possible'
A West Bromwich licensee says he could lower beer prices to as little as 21p in a bid to beat off competition — but may have to dip into his own pocket to fund it.
Last month, Belal Hussain began selling pints for 89p at the Marksman, West Bromwich.
Now, he has dropped the price to 79p in the wake of nearby competition — Beata Nowakowska opened the Explosion on Friday, selling pints for 85p.
Hussain said: “The pub is always busy so I’m still making profit. I could go lower though — down to 21p — but I would have to start funding it from my own pocket. I want to maintain the reputation as Britain’s cheapest pint.”
Although Hussain would not reveal figures he said he currently has a high enough turnover to account for costs such as beer duty and staff wages at his freehold pub.
“At busy times such as the weekend, there are 15 people at the bar, pulling pints all the time. I can’t remember all their names. I’m still making a profit at the moment.”
He revealed that police regularly visit to ensure the pub does not have a problem with antisocial behaviour or binge drinking.
“The police have told me it’s one of the safest pubs in the area. It has proved people wrong,” he said.
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