Pub giant Wetherspoon is slashing beer prices in areas of southern England going into Tier 3 restrictions.
The company said that until final orders on Tuesday, all its pubs going into Tier 3 in London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will be serving real ales at 99p a pint.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We would have to throw any unsold real ale away in those pubs moving to Tier 3, so it makes sense that our customers can enjoy it at even greater value prices than normal in those pubs that will be affected.”
The tightened restrictions will come into effect from Wednesday, when pubs under Tier 3 must remain closed except for takeaway, drive-through and delivery only.
The chain’s chairman Tim Martin, a vocal critic of the measures, told talkRadio on Monday the decision amounted to a “lockdown by any other name”.
He said: “It’s very sad.
“I think it’s possibly over 650,000 people in pubs and the hospitality industry alone out of work – that’s probably the working population of say Liverpool and Manchester, the equivalent, and for no health benefit – not that I can see.”
The British Beer & Pub Association said 56,000 jobs in the sector are now at risk in London alone, with all of the capital’s 3,680 pubs forced to close except for takeaways.
Earlier this month, Mr Martin said he would keep eight of his pubs open in Wales, effectively trading as cafes in Cardiff, Newport, Caernarfon, Cwmbran, Mold and Wrexham, after the Welsh Government barred the sale of alcohol in hospitality venues.
