Restaurants across the UK are preparing to lower prices on their menus as the government temporarily reduces sector VAT by more than £4 billion.
For a six-month period, VAT will be trimmed on meals, accommodation and attractions – diving from 20 to 5per cent.
This will enable the hospitality sector to lower prices and subsequently attract more customers.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the VAT amendments in July, along with an “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme that entitles customers to 50 per cent off (up to £10 per head) at participating venues.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is paid on goods and services – but is often already included as part of the advertised price.
The government is hoping that these short-term changes will help to reboot the economy.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants were forced to close for the best part of three months when COVID-19 gripped the country, surviving solely on takeaway services.
However, with lower VAT in place, some of the bigger chains are in a position to lower the prices of their hot food and drink for a temporary period.
Here are the brands who’ve already confirmed they’ll be offering discounts from today (15 July).
KFC
KFC UK & Ireland
KFC was quick off the mark to announce some price cuts in the wake of new VAT rates.
Earlier this week, the fried chicken chain confirmed on Twitter they’d be serving half-price boneless buckets and shaving a few quid here and there off other ‘fan favourites’.
“It’s welcome news,” said a spokesperson.
“Equally, our fans have been amazing over the past few months, so we are rolling out price reductions across our menu too.”
It’s worth noting, however, that whilst the low VAT rates are around until January, this special offer is not.
£4.99 boneless buckets are only available from today (15 July) to Sunday (19 July).
KFC has, however, promised more “fantastic deals” in the coming weeks.
McDonald’s
Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s is asking its UK franchisees to trim prices on various items in the wake of the VAT cut.
The Golden Arches is recommending that its restauranteurs apply discounts to breakfast and coffee, as well as popular classics like the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder and Chicken Nuggets.
Extra Value Meals could see 40p reductions, with customers also set to enjoy 30p off Happy Meals and 50p off morning meals.
Many McDonald’s venues are still operating limited menus around the UK, with the gradual reintroduction of seasonal/exclusive items being added over time.
Nando’s
Pixabay
Nando’s has also jumped on the bandwagon and promised to offers discounts for customers – but not just on a few select items.
Nope. The South African restaurant is passing on VAT savings across its whole menu (except items that don’t qualify, like alcohol and cold food) for eat-in, delivery and click and collect.
So, from today (15 July), you can order a Nando’s and enjoy bigger savings on the bill than ever before.
On a quarter chicken, for example, you’ll pay 55p less.
Global coffee chain Pret also piped up on Twitter this morning (16 July) to confirm they’d be cutting prices across their menu in the coming days.
As of yet, there’s no confirmation as to which items will be subject to discounts, but coffee and hot food could be candidates.
Pret wrote on social media: “We’re passing back temporary VAT savings to our lovely customers.
“So over the next few days, you’ll notice lower prices on your favourite coffees, hot food and a few other treats.
“Cheers!”
We're passing back temporary VAT savings to our lovely customers. So over the next few days, you’ll notice lower prices on your favourite coffees, hot food and a few other treats. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/lLWlulUdHt
Starbucks, too, has gotten in on the act and elected to lower the cost of coffee for customers from July.
The coffee chain announced on Tuesday that they’ll be passing on the full VAT discount in company-operated stores, meaning customers will get to enjoy lower prices.
The discounts will apparently be applied to drinks and hot meals.
Other venues with Starbucks licenses are being left to choose where to offer discounts; so certain prices may remain standard in some premises.
News
Streamer AngryGinge ‘arrested and banned’ from Silvestone at the British GP
Danny Jones
Popular Manc influencer, ‘AngryGinge’, was arrested, fined and ultimately banned from Silverstone at this year’s British GP.
The Salford-born Twitch streamer, YouTuber and social media personality (real name Morgan Burtwhistle) was detained at the circuit after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ginge recently starred in Soccer Aid 2025 and is a well-known face both on the internet and in the sporting world, regularly working in and around football, and is an avid Manchester United – even featuring in the club’s third kit launch video last year.
The 23-year-old and two other fellow streamers, ‘Chazza’ and ‘Samham’, were accused of criminal damage after sitting in an F1 car whilst recording around the Silverstone complex.
AngryGinge returned to streaming after being detained by police for 15 hours
The streamer and several friends were arrested for climbing into a display F1 car at the British Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/WDSYb6MVtj
“On Friday, July 4, NP received a report that a classic Formula 1 car on display at Silverstone Circuit during the British Grand Prix event had sustained several thousands of pounds worth of damage, which was alleged to have been caused by someone accessing the display stand and climbing into the vehicle.
“Officers carried out initial inquiries, and suspects were identified. Three men, aged 23, 25 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and taken into police custody.
“Following a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, all three men were released with no further action.”
Burtwhistle went into more detail on the incident on socials, explaining that the trio were taken away in handcuffs and “locked up” for several hours – 15 hours, according to SamHam (Samuel Imie).
All three individuals deny causing any damage to the racecar, even despite users sharing clips from the livestream footage captured for the Red Bull online Content on the day that many argue incriminates them, or at least sounds like it – we’ll let you watch and decide for yourselves.
Ginge himself went on to detail that ridculousness of the situation, explaining how he was effectively detained for watching someone else climb into the vehicle.
He’ll be dining out in this one for some time, you can be sure of that.
He’s literally a brands dream isn’t he 😂 so quick and smart with it
Featured Images — Soccer Aid/angryginge13 (screenshot via Twitch)/Samham (via X)
News
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton is coming out of retirement after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Mancunian and British boxing legend Ricky Hatton MBE is coming out of retirement after more than a decade for his first competitive fight in 13 long years.
This is sure to be one to watch.
The Stockport-born and Hattersley-raised fighter first retired back in 2011, but did flirt with a comeback a year later in what turned out to be a one-off fight and defeat to 35-year-old Ukrainian welterweight, Vyacheslav Senchenko.
‘Hitman’ Hatton also got back in the ring for an exhibition match against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022, enduring eight two-minute rounds after a decade away from fighting, but now he’ll be undertaking an official fight over in the United Arab Emirates.
Lacing up his gloves at 46 years old, Hatton will be facing fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah (same age), who was the first professional boxer in the UAE.
The ‘Pride of Hyde’ may have been out of the competitive sporting sphere for a while, but he’s still remained an active figure in the boxing world.
In addition to training his son, Campbell, who has followed in his father’s fighting footsteps, Hatton has continued to coach other young boxing talents from his gym in Tameside, including John Hedges and Chloe Watson.
Campbell, 24, has won 14 of his 16 fights, losing just twice since he began in 2021.
Meanwhile, his dad – who still boasts a record of 45 victories from 48 matches, 32 of which were by knockout – will be once again focusing on getting himself back in fighting shape for the Dubai bout.
The local athlete has done plenty to dispel the old jabs of ‘Ricky Fatton’ in recent times, mind you, having taken his talents as a once-promising young footballer to play in the Manchester Remembers charity match, as well as the aforementioned Barrera exhibition.
Set for this winter, Ricky Hatton will face fellow veteran Eisa Al Dah in a middleweight contest on Friday, 2 December, telling national media via video call in the recent press conference that confirmed he would be coming out of retirement: “What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Al Dah added: “It will be a true fight, true action. And I will do my best, because everybody in the UAE and the Gulf, they will watch this fight. The place will be sold out, and it will be watched around the world.”
Will those Haymakers still hit like they used to? Well shall see before the end of the year.
The Manc -
15th July 2020 
