Menu prices rising at 'alarming pace'
Some main meals exceed £15, veg extra
The editor of Alastair Sawday's Pubs & Inns of England & Wales guide warns that menu prices are increasing at an "alarming pace".
David Hancock said: "Particularly in smarter dining pubs, main courses often exceed £15 and side vegetables may be added as an extra. Yes, cooking standards in pubs have risen in recent years and a growing number of pubs are sourcing the best ingredients from the best producers, but this is no excuse for pubs to charge restaurant prices."
He also fears too many gastropub operators are disappointing with their food offer. He said: "Because of the increase in competition and because the public is becoming more discerning, operators need to raise their game if offering food. Unfortunately, too many pub chefs are diluting the gastropub concept and are doing the make-over, but the food doesn't match up."
He added that too many pubs are losing sight of their roots as tills tot up meals rather than pints of beer.
The new edition of the guide features 880 pubs, with 80 new entries. Brewer Shepherd Neame has signed up to sponsor the guide for three years, but all entries remain independent.
This edition features 143 pubs with rooms, an extra 33 on last year. Pubs pay to have their rooms inspected, but are not included if they don't meet the high standards of the guide's inspectors.
Hancock said: "The number of pubs with rooms is gaining momentum. It is an opportunity for pubs to gain another source of revenue. They can make around 80% profit on a room and have a captive market to eat in their pub too."
Around 80 pubs in the guide are taking part in a Daily Telegraph promotion, published last Saturday. The guide costs £14.99.
Pub award winners
Local, Seasonal and Organic Produce Award:
n Highwayman, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire
n Kingham Plough, Oxfordshire
n The Talbot, Worcs
Authentic Pub Award:
n Five Mile House, Duntisbourne Abbots, Gloucestershire
n King's Head, Laxfield, Suffolk
n Sair Inn, Linthwaite, West Yorkshire
Pub with Rooms Award:
n Devonshire Arms, Beeley, Derbyshire
n Peat Spade, Longstock, Hampshire
n Trout at Tadpole Bridge, Buckland Marsh, Oxfordshire
Community Pub Award:
n Lamb Inn, Sandford, Devon
n Fighting Cocks, Stottesdon, Shropshire
n Ye Olde Sun Inn, Colton, North Yorkshire
Hancock's hot trends
n More pubs offering set menus
n Chefs going back to more traditional, rustic British cooking, such as Lancashire hotpot and ginger parkin
n Flexible approach to Sunday lunch, with many pubs now serving roasts up to 5pm
n Bringing joints to
the table to carve on Sundays
n Slow-food movement is gathering pace
n Increase in starter prices on menus
n Number of pubs with farm shops on the up
