TAX EQUALITY DAY

A toast to Sir Tim Martin, founder of that national treasure affectionately known as ‘The Spoons’ to beer swilling punters like us on what is known as Tax Equality Day.

Yesterday's Tax Equality Day at The Spoons

Tax Equality Day held annually is Sir Tim’s way of offering punters a chance of getting a microwave curry at a price cheaper than the cost of a first-class stamp. It’s a campaign to highlight the inequality between VAT paid on the price of food or drinks purchased in a pub as compared to your local supermarket.

All's not fair in love, war or taxes

All food and drinks in pubs are subject to 20 per cent VAT. In comparison, supermarkets pay zero VAT on food and are thus able to use that saving to sell alcohol to customers at a discounted price which is not really fair to the hospitality industry who have struggled to recover since their bout of Covid.

So, for one day a year, you can enjoy a chicken tikka masala and get totally shitfaced for less than the cost of a full tank of diesel.   

Needless to say, Chi's own Spoons, the Dolphin & Anchor, was heaving.  We had one helluva job finding a free table that was not occupied either by graduating students or curry munching diners.  

The Chi 'Spoons' - Dolphin & Anchor

Cheers Sir Tim! Hope your ‘campaign’ succeeds but in the meantime, I’ll have another pint of Southern Comfort.

To your good health Sir Tim