Slug and Lettuce owner to charge more at peak hours
The pub group that owns Slug & Lettuce bars has said it will charge about 20p more per pint during peak hours under a “dynamic pricing” system.
Stonegate Group, which owns brands including the Slug & Lettuce and the Block & Gasket in Sale said it was raising prices at 800 of its venues during peak times, such as weekends, to help cover soaring costs.
It has previously done so during one-off events, such as World Cups, but has now taken the decision to introduce price variance on a more regular basis.
Patrons have been informed of the change with a “polite notice” in Stonegate pubs, informing them of the need to raise prices to cover extra staffing costs, more bouncers at the door, extra cleaning, washing glasses and “complying with licensing requirements”.
Dynamic pricing, often known as surge pricing, is a common feature of other industries. Uber, for example, uses the feature when demand is high, with prices rising automatically when more people are trying to hail a ride.
The practice has proved controversial at times, with some Bruce Springsteen fans reacting with dismay when The Boss applied dynamic pricing to some tickets on his latest tour.
A spokesperson for Stonegate, which has 4,500 venues including Sale's Slug & Lettuce and Block & Gasket, said the company “regularly reviews pricing to manage costs but also to ensure we offer great value for money to our guests”.
“Across the managed business our dynamic pricing encompasses the ability to offer guests a range of promotions including happy hours, two-for-one cocktails, and discounts on food and drink products at different times on different days throughout the week,”
“This flexibility may mean that on occasions pricing may marginally increase in selective pubs and bars due to the increased cost demands on the business with additional staffing or licensing requirements such as additional door team members.”
The announcement has already prompted an angry response from some customers on social media.
