by Tony Halstead Licensees will be forced to clearly advertise menu prices and all service charges under new legislation that comes into force next month.
The new law will require all food operators to display a copy of their menu and drinks prices and show details of any cover or service charge.
This must be put in a prominent position at the entrance to dining rooms and eating areas.
The Government says the Price Marking (Food & Drink Services) Order 2003, which comes into force on 2 March, is designed to make prices unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible.
The order will also require any minimum price, service or surcharge to be displayed as prominently as the menu prices.
It aims to clarify the legal position regarding cover prices and service charges which some food operators periodically add on to the customers' bills.
Pubcos and individual licensees say the new legislation will not pose any serious difficulties.
Laurel, which operates a sizeable number of food houses across its 750-strong estate, says it is already compliant with the new requirements.
"Our systems are geared to cope with these measures and the requirement for menus to clearly display prices and charges," said communications director Maureen Heffernan.
"We have in-house systems to print off menus should there be any major changes to our food offering on a particular day.
"However, we will be paying particular attention to those venues which change their trading format according to the time of day, when food requirements and menus also change."
Matthew Jackson, licensee of the Waterwitch, Lancaster, said the changes were welcome and overdue.
"People do not shop at a supermarket without knowing the price of food, which is all clearly marked, so why should a pub or restaurant be any different?"
Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne said the changes would also require licensees to display a drinks price list along with their menus.
"This is in addition to a clearly displayed bar tariff which has been a legal requirement for some years.
"My view is that boards advertising daily specials will not come under the legislation, although licensees must ensure that these are accurately priced and unavailable dishes deleted as soon as they run out," he added.
Under the order, the minimum number of prices which must be displayed is 30 items of food and drink.
Food and drink items displayed in categories, such as soup, soft drinks and wines, must include a minimum of five prices per group.