A popular pub in Southport received a slating review on TripAdvisor over price increases.
The Masons Arms of Anchor Street in Southport town centre received the review where the regular customers noticed a 40p jump in the price of the round they ordered.
The round, consisting of two pints of premium lager, was a regular round for the customers who thought it was too much.
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The customers took to TripAdvisor and wrote: "We finally got round to visiting this pub after over 20 years of living in Southport. We found it clean, efficient and cosy.
"So we started to go there whenever we came into town. However, we called there tonight and the round had gone up by 40 pence. My husband questioned it and was told that one of the drinks had gone up be that amount.
"Only to be told that the other drink we ordered was also going to increase soon. 2 pints of premium lager for £8.40 and soon to increase?
"My husband mentioned that £9 for a round is getting a bit expensive. However because we find it a comfortable place we stayed for a second drink.
"In the meantime the bar staff changed over and I think the landlady was now present.
"There was a whispered conversation between the two and I overheard her say “ if you want a cheap pint go the Wetherspoons”. I am deeply offended as I am used to paying a little over the odds for a premium product.
"As there was only us and another couple in the whole pub I know this was directed at us! Unprofessional!"
The pub currently has a 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor and is ranked number five out of 27 on the list for nightlife in Southport.
The review led to the owner of the pub feeling disappointed over the claims of unprofessionalism.
The owner soon took to the review site to reply, claiming the sudden rise wouldn't have been gradual had it not been for them undercharging for the beer over the course of the pandemic.
They said: "Sorry that you think 40 pence is a large increase. We had set the price for Helles Craft Lager in December 2019 and had been meaning to amend the price as it is very expensive for us to buy.
"Due to the covid restrictions and being closed longer than we've actually been open in the last 18 months, this has been overlooked.
"Ordinarily this price rise would be done gradually but somehow it slipped through the net. You've actually been lucky to be paying the reduced price of £4 when it should have actually have been higher.
"Helles Craft Lager is only available in a few places and normally retails around £4.80 - £5.00 but is often much more expensive.
"We don't have any plans to increase any other prices so not sure what you have been told. I also don't know how the price has jumped from £8.40 for your 2 drinks to the £9 that you mention.
"We've paid £5.60 for a pint of Camden Hell's 2 mins walk away so £4.40 is still a very reasonable price for a Craft Beer.
"Our prices are in line with other independent pubs and bars in Southport town centre. I don't think a "whispered conversation" with a member of staff from across the pub when you were in another room and with music playing could be considered to be directed at anyone.
"Obviously when there's a shift change we have a chat with staff re any issues. Sorry that you feel disappointed but we feel that our other reviews speak for themselves."
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