Madonna pub: Genuine mistake on prices

The pub part-owned by Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie charged varying amounts for drinks because of a genuine mistake, a spokesman for the venue says.

It was alleged last week that the Punchbowl in London's Mayfair charged higher prices to customers who staff didn't know.

Customer Brian Richardson told the Daily Telegraph he paid £3.50 for a pint one day then £3.90 on another. "They have got two prices - regulars prices and non-regulars prices," he said. "There is no price list on the wall. I don't mind paying more but it is completely arbitrary."

Sue Jones, head of trading standards at Westminster City Council, said: "This may constitute an offence under unfair trading regulations, which we would look into. Given the allegations the council will be seeking to speak to the licensee regarding this."

But a spokesman for the pub said it was a "misunderstanding" that occurred on the day the pub increased its prices. This explains why no price list was displayed.

"Every pub has to change their prices and this came in the middle of the change," said the spokesman. He declined to discuss whether trading standards had been in touch about the incident.

Ritchie is a director of the company that owns the Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises lease on the Punchbowl.