Wiltshire branches of pub giant Wetherspoon are set to lower their prices for one day as bosses slam “unfair” VAT rules.

The popular chain has confirmed prices will be slashed by 7.5 per cent at pubs on Thursday, September 14, including The King's Head Inn on Bridge Street in Salisbury and The Bell in Amesbury. 

This offer is intended to highlight the benefits of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry and has been labelled Tax Equality Day.

All food and drink in pubs is currently subject to 20 per cent VAT while supermarkets currently pay no VAT on these products, allowing them to sell alcohol at discounted prices.

The Salisbury branch's manager, Robert Stephens, said: "Customers coming to The King’s Head Inn on Thursday September 14 will find the price of their food and drink is lower than normal.

"It is unfair that supermarkets pay zero VAT on food, but pubs pay 20 per cent.

"Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades due to the tax disadvantages it has with supermarkets.

"The tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer.

"It doesn't make sense for the hospitality industry to subsidise supermarkets.

"We urge the Chancellor to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets."