Wetherspoon boss: Jamie Oliver's sugary drink tax would 'cost pubs millions'

Oliver has told David Cameron to ‘be brave', calling on Government to introduce a three-year sugary drink tax of 20% per litre.

But Martin slammed the advice, claiming: “A new tax on soft drinks will cost pubs millions at a time when prices in pubs are already very high compared to supermarkets."

Oliver has introduced a 10p tax on fizzy or sugary drinks in his restaurants.

Martin continued: “Jamie Oliver runs restaurants which cater to an affluent clientele. He is either courting the favour of the elite or is badly out of touch with the majority of people.

“I believe that he should campaign for tax equality for pubs, restaurants and supermarkets, since pubs and restaurants pay 20 per cent vat on food sales, compared to zero for supermarkets.

“Showboating of this kind by Jamie Oliver will close pubs,” he added.

Martin explained that Pepsi is the company’s biggest selling draught product with JDW with 580,000 of the drinks served in the past seven days, of which 197,000 were Diet Pepsi.

And in 950 pubs, almost one million coffees and teas are served sugar-free.

“Sales of non-sugar drinks in the  non-alcoholic category are increasing at a rapid rate and are in the great majority, when you take into account coffee and tea,” Martin said.

“Customers already pay a lot for soft drinks when they go out and we don’t need another ‘big brother’ tax.”

Oliver claims industry needs to be kept in line to prevent childhood obesity.

He said Cameron should 'act like a parent' with manufacturers.