JDW withdraws 99p pints in Martin's home town

A Wetherspoon pub in founder Tim Martin's home town of Exeter has had to drop its 99p a pint offer amid claims that younger drinkers were abusing the bargain.

Some younger drinkers were said to be ordering five pints of Greene King a time at JD Wetherspoon's George's Meeting House in South Street, Exeter — the Wetherspoon founder lives in Exeter.

Now the pub has dropped the 99p a pint offer — although it is being retained at Wetherspoon's other city premises, The Imperial, in New North Road.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed the 99p offer had ended at George's with the cheapest pint there now £1.49. But he said it was dropped on economic grounds.

Gershon added: "We realised from the start that some of our city centre pubs might have to change the price because of the pressures of higher rents and rates. It was always in Wetherspoon's mind that it might have to go up at certain pubs.

"We believe that customer will see it £1.49 as very good value. We are able to hold the 99p at the Imperial because it is slightly out of town."

Meanwhile 80 pubs in Bournemouth have decided to end their voluntary agreement to not sell drinks below £1.50 in response to the Wetherspoon offer.