Pie pub drops pint price by 50p
Punch tenant turned freeholder Tracy Bird has dropped her beer prices by 50p per pint since she bought central London's Newman Arms off an asking price of £1.2m.
Bird is licensee at the West End pub, where the pies are so famous they make it to number three in Time Out's guide 1,000 Things To Do In London.
Bird has been licensee at the pub since 1994, and since she took over the freehold she has negotiated a £200-per-barrel discount with Fuller's. She decided to pass the savings on to her customers by dropping all her beer prices by almost 20%. A pint of Carling now retails at £2.70, down from £3.20. "The customers very much appreciate it," she said.
Bird secured funding through Santander, though is considering changing to a fixed rate loan. Marlborough Leisure helped with negotiations.
The pub dates from 1730, and was once the preferred pub of George Orwell, Dylan Thomas and others. It has provided the backdrop for many films and TV shows including Peeping Tom, Minder, The Bill and Da Ali G Show.
The famous pies are best enjoyed in the upstairs pie room. Prices range from £8.95 and fillings include chicken and broccoli in leek and pepper sauce or lamb and rosemary.
