Price hike pub boss celebrates raking it in with boozy night out

16 September 2023 , 16:55

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Ian Payne was spotted partying at an industry do (Image: INSTAGRAM /)

Pub punters facing price hikes at peak times might well find these pictures hard to swallow.

They show the top boss at Stonegate Group looking thrilled – while the firm has customers over a barrel by hiking drink costs when bars are busiest. The ‘dynamic pricing’ scheme at 800 of its 4,800 inns, including the Yates’s chain, has been slammed by drinkers. Yet Stonegate founder Ian Payne will be banking on the move bringing the firm extra cash – and generating more reasons to celebrate on a night out. The former Guinness sales rep, 70, owner of a £1.3million Leicestershire farmhouse, reportedly likes to kick back with a pint of the black stuff.

Social media posts show him looking merry in Barcelona, and in party mode with his team clutching champagne after winning a gong at an industry do. One shot is captioned: “The best late-night operators in the UK, celebrating the only way we know how.” The new scheme could see a Moretti at the Red Lion in Luton, Beds, soar past the £5.75 mark from its current £5.55. And a pint of Amstel at Liverpool’s Farmer’s Arms would rise from £3.45 to £3.65.

One drinker said: “I can’t believe Stonegate is putting up the price of a pint. In protest I’m straight home to open a bottle from my own beer store.” Another said: “Dynamic pricing will only p** more people off.” Stonegate said: “It is part of our chairman’s role to celebrate success with our hard-working teams. Pricing may marginally increase in selective bars due to the increased cost demands with additional staffing or licensing requirements such as additional door team.” The firm’s move comes after BrewDog launched ‘temperature-related pricing’ – promising cheaper beer during sunny spells.

A spokesperson for Stonegate Group said, “Dynamic pricing has been a feature of our industry for many years, we always strive to give our guests the best value relative to the experience that we offer. Moreover, it is part of our Chairman’s role to celebrate success with our hard-working teams and any attempt to link images from over 3 years ago to our pricing strategy is misleading.”

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