cambridge-news.co.uk

Pubs offering recession tipples and tax credits

Drinkers at The Cutter Inn get 10p ‘tax credits’ from general manager Mike Connelly in response to Alistair Darling’s tax rise.

PUBS are offering "tax credits" and recession-busting menus to keep punters coming through the door.

With an average of six pubs closing a day nationwide as the downturn bites, local pubs are fighting back.

At the Kingston Arms in Cambridge, recession ales are £1.95 a pint from tomorrow (Thursday, 07 May), recession wines are £2.50 for a 175ml glass and the recession menu has starters for £1.99 and main courses at £3.99.

And drinkers have already been enjoying pints of Recession be Damned real ale.

[Owner Paul Boggia] said: "We want people to be able to enjoy an evening in the pub and a meal without having to break the bank.

"We hope this will entice people who would not ordinarily come in but we also want to keep our regular customers happy."

Meanwhile in Ely, Steve Haslam, owner of The Cutter Inn, has introduced the "working person's beer tax credit voucher" scheme in response to Chancellor Alistair Darling's recent tax increase on alcohol.

Until the end of May, drinkers get a 10p voucher each time they buy a pint. They can save them to buy a drink or give the cash to charity.

Mr Haslam said: "This is making light of the situation but the Government needs to realise publicans are not bad people and we are not the cause of binge drinking.

"We want to give something back to the working person in these difficult economic times and we are doing what little we can to help our community."

The scheme is also running at his other pub, the White Horse Inn, in Ramsden Heath, Essex, with the money raised being split between local schools and charities.

Published: 06/05/2009