Bar Talk

Has the Budget duty rise had any effect on trade?

Kevin Connor

Red Lion

Withington

Manchester

It's a bit early to say, but so far we haven't noticed anyone cutting back on spending. Our business is actually up year-on-year but we're a big pub — if anyone is going to get hit it's probably the smaller, community houses. We've heard some gibberings from customers, but they know who is to blame.

Mike Fallon

Theatre Bar

Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire

It doesn't appear to have stopped people coming in or made them cut back on spending, so we're hopeful. Having been forced to put 10p on a pint, we thought business might suffer, but things have held up well so far. As a town-centre pub, we tend not to be as badly hit by big price increases.

Dave Daly

The Castle

Blackpool

Lancashire

It's too early to tell as we've just had Easter and the kids are still on holiday here.Things have been fairly positive following the Budget, with no real reaction to the price rises. The good news is that the punters know that it's the Chancellor who is to blame and aren't taking it out on the licensee.

Michelle Fenton

Tandle Hill Tavern

Oldham

Lancashire

It's been fairly quiet — I think the Budget has affected trade, especially as the duty increase followed a brewery price rise. Our beer has gone up from £1.90 a pint through the £2 barrier to £2.05 a pint and drinkers definitely notice.

It's early days, but things have definitely been quiet over the past three weeks.