England divided on the price of a pint

Press, 24 July 1984, Page 18

England divided on the price of a pint

NZPA-AAP London England, as most people know, is actually divided into two countries, the North and the South. Anywhere north of Watford, just outside London, is virtually heathen territory, according to the southerners. And the sturdy working folk of the north will not have a bar of what they regard as the more affluent, snootier types down south. The latest issue to raise the hackles of the northern holidaymakers is the price of beer. It seems they can get a pint of their local brew at anything up to 18 pence

cheaper than a pint of beer in the south. This has led to concern that northern holidaymakers are boycotting pubs because of the big mark-ups. Such is the worry caused to the National Union of Licensed Victuallers' that, for the first time, they are holding an investigation into beer prices. The union represents more than 25,000 tenant licensees and free-house owners. It is inviting members around England to send in details of drink prices. According to a union spokesman, pubs in holiday towns are already finding customer resistance and fear they will be harder hit

in August, the big holiday month. “The major concern is that the holidaymakers from the north of England and Scotland will visit the south coast and simply refuse to pay prices that are allegedly anything from 15p to 18p higher than they pay at home,” the spokesman said. Brewery chiefs will be asked why the anomaly exists. According to one theory, breweries believe they can mark up prices in the south because customers are more able — and willing — to pay them. It seems that even the price of a drink can divide a nation.