JD Wetherspoon reported to Trading Standards for "misleading customers

Licensees in Humberside have reported pub operator JD Wetherspoon to the local Trading Standards department over a price promotion they claim is misleading customers.

The "no frills" chain's Pricewatch scheme, run in outlets across the country, compares prices in selected pubs in one area. It is aimed at highlighting the cheap offers available in Wetherspoon outlets, but publicans in Goole claim that information given about their pubs is inaccurate and misleading.

Licensee Heather Lockwood of the Macintosh Arms, which features on the list, said only one of the products listed was correct.

She said: "I think this is grossly misleading. It is just a cheap publicity stunt - it doesn't list any of the products these pubs are charging less for. It just seems really one-sided."

Mrs Lockwood, along with the licensees of the other pubs listed have now made a formal complaint to Trading Standards.

Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoon, said the company would be looking into their concerns.

He added: "It would be very unfair of us to criticise other pubs on the basis of incorrect information and if we have unintentionally misled anyone I think publicans have every right to be annoyed."