Price of a pint set to rise by 18p

DRINKERS gasping for a beer in their local face having to pay up to 18p a pint more when pubs finally reopen, say industry experts.

Price rises usually announced by brewers in January have been put back while pubs stay shut, but will go up by as much as 4.5 per cent – to an average tab of £4.12 – when drinkers return.

The 18p hike will be added unless Government schemes continue a reduction on VAT once restrictions are lifted.

City centre drinkers are already paying £5 a pint or more on average, according to the trade journal Morning Advertiser.

Dutch giants Heineken said its price rise on draught beers will be between 2.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent from April 1.

UK spokesman Stephen Watt said: “Our priority has been to help pubs and bars through the most difficult trading.”

But there was good news for Guinness fans as owners Diageo said it currently had “no plans” to increase prices.