Restaurant Prices

[Skyedriver]

Just a casual observation, we live in a tourist area of Scotland and Cafes and Restaurants have just started opening up.
Prices have risen by about 15 - 20% over last years brief spell of business. Trying to claw back lost earnings?
Is this happening nationwide?

[Scabutz]

Can't say I've noticed a percentage increase but the last time I went out recently stuff did appear to be more expensive.

Can't blame them at all really and happy to pay more. Same with the cinema, spent loads on nachos and the like since they re opened. It's only by the skin of their teeth that a lot of places still exist.

[Chrishum]

I’ve noticed a distinct lack of any kinds of deals being advertised to entice people back to places. A lot of the restaurants I used to regularly visit have started doing takeaway foods that are very popular and are selling for the same price as their restaurant meals. So less overhead for them. I suspect the future will see far less actually restaurants and more takeaways/dark kitchens

[blue_haddock]

I've not been out to a restaurant since things have opened up, but we are having a few days away at the weekend and we're looking up dining options and the one thing I've noticed is that prices do seem higher but also more places are also pricing things up with just the main itself and then having to pay extra for sides on top.

So rump steak £12.99 or rack of ribs £14.99 but then fries are an extra £2.99, salad is extra £1.99 and onion rings £2.99 whereas previously it's been steak, chips, bit of salad and a couple of onion rings for £12.99

[Trailhead]

Our local pub has put food prices up 25%.

[Jamescrs]

Went to my local last weekend for a meal with the family, in the suburbs of Leeds and prices were broadly the same as pre covid and same offers on.
It was suprisingly quiet as well, I expected it to be very busy.

[matrignano]

And remember VAT is still reduced at 5% - some restaurants passed that saving back to the customer last summer but it doesn’t seem to be the case anywhere now!

Also I’ve recently paid £6.30 for a pint in a pub!

[2 GKC]

matrignano said:

And remember VAT is still reduced at 5% - some restaurants passed that saving back to the customer last summer but it doesn’t seem to be the case anywhere now!

Also I’ve recently paid £6.30 for a pint in a pub!

This. I can’t see any of them reducing their prices when the VAT cut is reversed so there’ll be some serious inflation then

[Pistonheader101]

Pretty sure prices have gone up almost 1/3 at most of my local takeaways too.

[Zarco]

Are we not seeing food price inflation generally? I don't pay enough attention to the weekly shop to say for sure, but think I've read some stuff in the press.

Could be a bit of that pushing restaurant prices.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

Certain food prices are increasing a lot more than you’d imagine. The increase in the price of Ice cream for example, has been one of the key reasons for the increase in inflation reported this month.

[NewportPag]

The government support of the hospitality trade has been pretty dire, so price increases are inevitable. Especially when you consider the increase in produce costs, and the reduced amount of tables.

[Truckosaurus]

NewportPag said:

...and the reduced amount of tables.

This must be the biggest factor. If a place has to reduce the number of seats by x% to meet the current spacing guidance then they will have to bump up the prices to bring the same income.

Also, I suspect most places don't have the margin to just absorb the costs of having extra staff to provide full table service for drinkers.

[anonymous-user]

Brexit bonus.

Staff costs.

Product costs.

Lose/lose.

[Louis Balfour]

I don't mind, to be honest. Within reason. The hospitality sector has been treated poorly by the government and if they want to recoup some income I fully understand.

I am also tipping more at my favourite places than I did pre-COVID, where the old staff are still there.

[AndyAudi]

NewportPag said:

.... increase in produce costs, and the reduced amount of tables.

this, I don’t believe it’s a clawback but reflects current trading, look at other industries & you’ll see similar eg Hairdressers

There’s extra cost to bear over reduced number of bums on seats in a few industries , gov schemes help a bit but not all the way sometimes.

[markiii]

whilst i agree with the costs my bigger issue is quality.

all my local pubs seem to have discovered some upmarket (relative term) version of Brake Brothers. Nothing seems home cooked, choice is limited and quality pants. Most stuff tastes of nothing

coupled with the price increases its not really making me want to eat out.

[CubanPete]

About 5-6 years ago there was a step change when all the meals seemed to increase for £8-9 a meal, to £12-13 a meal. This is for pub food, and to me (I'm not even from Yorkshire) this moved it from something we were happy to do casually 1-2 times a week, to monthly. We can eat better at home, but it save the washing up!

With a young family, I haven't missed going out that much, though we have supported the local with takeaways, though we still have to do the washing up....

I doubt our local will increase the food prices a further 30%, as I think they will lose too much trade.

[sly fox]

Skyedriver said:

Just a casual observation, we live in a tourist area of Scotland and Cafes and Restaurants have just started opening up.
Prices have risen by about 15 - 20% over last years brief spell of business. Trying to claw back lost earnings?
Is this happening nationwide?

I don't see a problem with this at all.
One of the worst hit industries, they need to financially get back on their feet, pay back furlough loans etc.

Price rises inevitable in my eyes.

[hotchy]

Don't forget the raw materials cost has risen aswel. Blame brexit or whatever but pop to the cash n carry, suppliers and those prices are up. Minimum wage went up again aswel.