Some 3,722 GB adults were surveyed by YouGov, with almost three in 10 (29%) saying a £5 pint of beer at a pub near their home was ‘fairly expensive’.
More than a quarter (26%) said it was ‘very expensive’ while the same percentage (26%) said it was ‘about average’.
Around one in 10 (12%) didn’t know while 5% said £5 was ‘fairly cheap’ and 1% said ‘very cheap’.
Slim profit margins
This followed data from Frontier Economics, commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), which found the average price of a pint is set to rise by 21p to £5.01 as the impact of the Budget changes hit the sector next month (April).
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The cumulative impact of these taxes and regulations is now plain to see and it is highly unfortunate the only way many pubs can remain viable is to pass on the array of upcoming costs to consumers.
“No one wants to see the cost of an average pint increase by a further 21p and break the £5 average pint barrier that will be required for pubs to maintain their punishingly slim profit margins.
“It is more urgent than ever the Government looks at ways to cap or reduce the costs of doing business so we can keep pubs open, preserve their community value and make sure the price of a pint remains affordable for all.”
Review required
The trade body has called on the Government to review the new and ‘unfair’ packaging fees, deliver meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs, which are all adding to the price of a pint.
A number of pub groups have revealed how much the changes announced in last year’s Budget will cost businesses.
This included Shepherd Neame, which this month (March), warned it would be raising its prices and finding efficiencies as the rises to national living wage and national insurance contributions would cost the business £2.6m.
