JD Wetherspoon price cuts come under fire

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has come under fire after announcing plans to slash prices on a number of drinks, including offering a pint of Greene King IPA for just 99p.

The promotion, which came into effect on Monday (5 January), has seen prices cut on five drinks, including beer, wine and cider, while five meals will be offered for £2.99 each.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said the company was helping consumers to cope with the economic downturn, but the strategy has been criticised by health campaigners as well as Greene King and other pub operators.

Dan Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "I do sympathise with businesses that want to attract customers by lowering prices in the current economic climate but alcohol is not a commodity like bread or milk, it can cause harm to the nation's health and even the economy."

Greene King said it was "taken aback" when it heard about the promotion and warned it could damage the IPA brand.

Justin Adams, managing director of the group's brewing division, said: "We are extremely disappointed about Wetherspoon's decision to apply such hefty discounts to Greene King IPA. We are not funding the promotion or supporting this promotional tactic in any way."

The promotion has also angered landlords of pubs in competition with Wetherspoon, with many warning the price cuts could force them out of business.

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By Daniel Thomas

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