Good Old Rishi

[mickd1961]

On a bike ride with 3 mates tonight we stopped for a quick pint of Guinness at a country pub - 24 quid! Used to love the place but won't be going back ever again on principle, a local FB group reported fillet steak and chips cost £46.50 before you've even had a drink or starter. Mental.

I guess if pubs are limited in the number of people they can let in then prices are bound to go through the roof.

If you’re being told you can only have 40% capacity then prices go up by 2.5 to cover the shortfall.

I think going out is going to become more of an event like it was in the 70’s rather than the mundane it became in recent times.

Maybe food and service quality will improve rather than the s h I t of both that was being served up.

Just a thought.

[baggieal]

On a bike ride with 3 mates tonight we stopped for a quick pint of Guinness at a country pub - 24 quid! Used to love the place but won't be going back ever again on principle, a local FB group reported fillet steak and chips cost £46.50 before you've even had a drink or starter. Mental.

That’s what many restaurants/pubs have done on a Mon, Tues and Weds - hiked their prices which is sheer greed! For sure some are claiming back more than the £10 per head too!

Can’t see how people can still go to restaurants and pubs but in most cases you can’t see a GP face to face. Makes no sense!

[phild]

My understanding is the Government slashed VAT from 20% to 5% on food sold in restaurants, are they passing this on to the customer, probably not.

[mickd1961]

My understanding is the Government slashed VAT from 20% to 5% on food sold in restaurants, are they passing this on to the customer, probably not.

I don’t blame them tbh Phil........most have earned nothing for five months and if I was in their position I’d be keeping the vat.

[stripes39]

On a bike ride with 3 mates tonight we stopped for a quick pint of Guinness at a country pub - 24 quid! Used to love the place but won't be going back ever again on principle, a local FB group reported fillet steak and chips cost £46.50 before you've even had a drink or starter. Mental.

£8 a pint for Guiness!! I think like you WCV, a lot of people will vote with their feet if they see pubs piling on the prices just to take the inflated government assistance off when it comes to dining out under this new scheme. If pubs want to do it its up to them but I'm not sure it's a good strategy in the longer term as nearly everyone has taken a hit or suffered in some capacity so pubs aren't alone. I'd imagine blatant profiteering is easier to get away with if you're Ryan Air or Mike Ashley but not so easy in a pub in a village locality.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I've used this scheme a few times and all I've had is great food at great prices. Last night 5 of us out for an Indian. I had Citrus Duck Tikka starter followed by Tandoori Halibut (do love a fish curry) and shared some sides. We got separate food and drink bills and my share for the food was £12.

Italian today. I'll have the Baked Figs with Blue Cheese, Seafood Marinara and depending on how fat I feel a Tiramisu. It will cost £15 and the money we save will pay for the Frascati.

Someone commented on the service and that has been a bit patchy. Some coping with the restrictions enforced much better than others.

One thing I do know compared with the 70's (scampi in the basket anyone?) the quality and variety available in Britain today in pubs and restaurants is on another planet. And imo better than any other country I have travelled to.

I think it's a great initiative just not sure about the timing.

[phild]

I'm taking advantage of the 50% tonight in Harvester and have done for the past couple of weeks. When all this is over at the end of August I can see a few places closing their doors for good.

Just wondering how many are using the restaurants on Thursday and Friday?