Wetherspoons reveals its stance on automatic service charges for pints

Britain’s favourite budget pub chain has weighed in on the debate over whether it’s fair to introduce automatic service charges for pints bought at the bar

Britain’s favourite budget pub chain has vowed it will not introduce automatic service charges on pints. Wetherspoons has promised not to follow the hated example of the Well and Boot in Waterloo, which has added a 4% tip charge on all orders at the bar.

You have to opt out of it to avoid paying the charge. But Spoons – which has over 800 pubs across the UK – says it will not be following suit.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon does not add a service charge for drink or food – the company has no intention of doing so.” It comes as Good Morning Britain host Adil Ray has slammed the worrying new service charge trend.

He said the suggestion that it is optional is untrue as it’s “embarrassing” to have to ask for it to be removed.

The TV presenter was speaking during a debate about the emerging trend after we highlighted it on our front page.

Adil said: “They say it’s optional, but it’s not. Imagine you’re at the bar, there’s a queue behind you. And you’re the one to go, ‘sorry, I don’t want to pay this’.

“And they’ve got to adjust the price. It’s a bit embarrassing. You haven’t got the option really.”

The Well and Boot was criticised for slapping customers with the automatic tariff, which applies to any food and drink.

Cash acceptance campaigner Martin Quinn said: “You can understand it if you’re sitting down and it’s table service, but you’re ordering it from the bar.

“Where’s the service in that?”

Consumer expert Martyn James said he is seeing mservice charge on drinks bought at the bar mre and more.

He called it “insidious” and reminded punters it is optional but admitted they might feel too awkward to say no as it goes against “our British sensibilities”.

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The 4% tariff imposed at the Well & Boot in Waterloo station, central London, adds about 30p to a pint of beer and cider.

Punters are only warned about the fee – usually reserved for meals served at tables – by a small sign at the bar. It says the charge is “optional” but is automatically added to the bill. Customers must object to have it removed.

Owner Glendola Leisure – which runs 14 pubs in London, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as a hotel, coffee shop and brewery – boasts on its website it enjoyed a turnover of almost £98million in 2023-4.

But drinkers have been left fuming at the company’s move, saying the landlords of the bar can “f**k right off” with their US-style tip charge.

Customers at the Well & Boot were left raging when the fee was highlighted by a reporter who visited the bar. One branded the move “disgraceful”.