Beer on offer for 1p

A pub chain is offering what is probably the country's cheapest beer at just 1p a pint.

The Stockton-on-Tees based Dukedom Group, has slashed the cost of a pint of beer to 1p as part of a new promotion. The chain, which owns 32 venues across the UK, is offering a pint of Tetley's at the bargain price to customers who buy a glass of house spirit. The offer is available at six pubs across the North of England.

Operations manager Russell Vickers said the promotion was designed to help people through the credit crunch. "We want to give our customers the chance to enjoy two drinks for under £2. These are difficult times for everybody and many people are having to think before enjoying a social evening out."

He added he was aware that the promotion could attract criticism for encouraging binge drinking but said: "The offer is restricted to a pint of beer and a spirit, which are not typically the choice of young drinkers.

"Our staff are trained to refuse to serve anybody who they think might have had too much to drink and we will be introducing refresher training in the pubs where the offer is running.

"This is a genuine attempt to give our customer the chance to have a drink on us during a period of difficulty for household budgets. We have always tried to find ways of giving value for money in our premises while retaining a safe and comfortable environment."