Industry insiders are warning that soaring beer prices across the UK means the price of a pint could rise by 50p.
With an increasing number of pubs currently under pressure to stay afloat and at risk of going bust due to the rising costs of beer, energy, food, and labour as the hospitality industry continues to wade through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s believed that consumers across the country – including in Greater Manchester – could start having to pay more for a pint.
According to the British Beer and Pub Association, the average price of a pint in the UK is £4.07, but in Manchester, around £3.93 is said to be a more common cost.
In the capital, the association says Londoners pay £4.84 on average, but some pubs are said to already be charging over £6, and if the cost of a pint does could go up by a maximum of 50p as is estimated, then this means customers may have to pay over £7
Trade organisation UKHospitality said pubs were facing “unprecedented” price rises.
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Earlier this week, the chairman of the City Pub Company Clive Watson said that ‘pub inflation’ was currently running at about 10%.
Kate Nicholls – Chief Executive UK Hospitality – explained: “This is weighing very heavily on these businesses, which have had nothing but a torrid time, and the price of a pint and a meal out will have to rise.”
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Nik Antona – CAMRA’s National Chairman – said the sector is continuing to deal with a crisis in “employment, supply chain, and cost of goods”, which is causing the price of a pint to rise, and admitted that: “This could spell disaster at the pump for small brewers and publicans if consumers make the decision to stay at home to cut corners.”
Pub landlords across the country are already telling of their recent need to hike pint prices, and are expressing their concerns at this continuing.
Dave Mountford, co-founder of the Forum of British Pubs and manager at The Boat Inn in Derbyshire, warned that drinkers will face rises of more than 50p, adding: “We’re putting prices up now and soon we’ll break the £4 a pint on cask ale for the first time ever.
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“Our most expensive pint is a premium lager and it’s £4.80 – it was £3.75 two years ago.”
James Calder – Chief Executive of Society of Independent Brewers – explained: “We have seen huge spikes in people costs, transport, raw ingredients, and energy, and with most brewers running very tight ships already, our sector unfortunately needs to be able to pass on these price rises to customers including the pubs in between, otherwise they will go bust.
“No business likes to raise its prices but right now it is a necessity to survive.”
Because of all these constraints, industry experts have urged the government to scrap the 12.5% VAT rate on pubs, restaurants and hotels, and have called for the scheduled rise back up to 20% in April to be scrapped, as they claim these measures could help ease pressure.
Featured Image – Unsplash
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Helen Flanagan describes psychosis diagnosis as she breaks social media silence
Daisy Jackson
Helen Flanagan has broken a months-long social media silence to explain to fans that she has been going through struggles with her mental health.
The former Coronation Street star explained that she’d had a ‘really bad reaction’ to some ADHD medication, which triggered psychosis.
The 33-year-old actress also said that she had been ’emotionally struggling’ after splitting with Scott Sinclair, with whom she shares three children.
Helen Flanagan wrote on Instagram that she’s had ‘a lot of difficult things going on’, explaining why she has stepped back from the public eye since January.
She also said that she was unaware that she was in the psychosis, which lasted for days.
It left her unable to continue with theatre rehearsals and instead Helen stayed at home with her family to recover.
Helen also said that she’d decided to try the medication after struggling with her mental health throughout December and January, so that she could ‘cope better with being a working single mum-of-three’.
But the Bury-born beauty then assured her one million followers that she was in a ‘really good happy place now’ and ‘feels lighter’.
She wrote, alongside a fresh-faced selfie on Instagram: “Had a few months off from social but I’m back now. So basically I really struggled mental health wise December/ January. I felt really not great in my head over Christmas and I didn’t really feel that much different when I took the kids away for new year.
“I had a lot of difficult things going on, things I just can’t talk about on Instagram.
“I felt terrible, so I was due my theatre tour which I was excited about so when I came back from holiday I thought it was best for me to take some medication so I’d feel better and be able to cope better with being a working single mum of three and I was emotionally struggling with the break up from the father of my kids but I had a really bad reaction though to the medication ( an ADHD medication) and it sent me into a psychosis for a few days which I didn’t know I was in. I just love my kids so much.
“This bad reaction though was a few days before rehearsals were starting and sadly I just wasn’t mentally well enough to do it.
“I was heartbroken as I’ve always been professional as an actress but i needed to stay at home and feel better for me and my kids, with the help of my amazing parents.
“I’ve always been honest on here and I feel in a really good happy place now. Therapy can be amazing and I feel like I’ve worked on myself with things that were quite tough to me but I feel lighter now. Anyway sending love and please be kind.”
She’s been flooded with well-wishes since sharing the very personal update.
Her former Corrie co-star and on-screen sister Brooke Vincent wrote: “Nice to see you back my girl. Love you lots xx”
Another Corrie legend, Cath Tyldesley, said: “Beautiful girl love you lots you are so brave . Health comes first. Well done for sharing as I’m sure it will help others xxxx.”
Another person said: “I read the word struggle, but I felt the word strength. There’s so much strength in seeking help, especially as a busy, working mama. You don’t even need to explain.”
Stockport lad lands ‘world’s sweetest job’ as Aldi’s new Easter egg taster
Emily Sergeant
A young lad from Stockport has just landed himself the “sweetest job” in the world, as he’s been chosen as Aldi’s newest Easter egg taster.
It’s hard to see someone else live out your dream… but on the eve of what is undoubtedly one of the most chocolate and sweet treat-filled holidays of the year, a five-year-old from Stockport has been revealed the Aldi ‘Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officer’ for 2024.
And it really does sound like the “world’s sweetest job”, to be fair.
Little Levi Hallows has beaten hundreds of hopeful applicants to become the supermarket‘s newest recruit in-charge of easting Easter eggs.
As he assumes his new role, chocolate lover Levi will receive a selection of Aldi’s Easter eggs in exchange for reporting back his thoughts to the company’s Buying Team, and his feedback will be valuable, as it’ll help guide what goes on shelves for Easter 2025.
The cracking job generated hundreds of special entries on social media from all across the UK, with applicants sharing videos as to why they were right for the role.
Levi caught the attention of the judges after submitting a video entry where he sang a song dedicated to the role of a lifetime, and can be seen holding his favourite Aldi chocolate bar and belting out the words: “Do you have a sweet tooth? I do! I’ve had it since I was a boy!”
As well as being a massive chocolate fan and having a long-time sweet tooth, Levi is also a budding Karate star, and has a keen interest in all things outer space too.
Levi says he’s “so excited” to have been chosen for the coveted role and “can’t wait to taste the eggs”, before going on to add: “My mum and grandparents are very proud of me, and I can’t wait to tell all my friends at school.”
Five-year-old Levi Hallows will give his feedback to help Aldi’s Buying Team curate their 2025 Easter collection / Credit: Aldi
The Greater Manchester youngster’s mum, Mary, says her son was “absolutely over the moon” when he was told he’d landed the job.
Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, added: “Our Easter eggs are hugely popular, but it’s important that we continue to amaze shoppers with innovative, fun products each year, and that’s why the role of our Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officer is such an important one.