Drinks
It is a requirement under The Price Marking (Food and Drink on Premises) Order 1979 that a list indicating the price of drinks must be displayed. It should be easily readable by the customer before the drinks are ordered. Therefore if the customer orders drinks at a bar, the price list should be near the bar. A large bar may need more than one price list. The price indication must be clear, legible and durable.
If drinks are served at a table by waiter service, then the price list needs to be available on the table.
For drinks that are sold by quantity, for example beer, the price per specified quantity must be given; a separate price indication for each quantity, unless the prices are in exact proportion to the quantities. So if beer is priced at £1.60 per pint, an additional indication is required for a half-pint if its price is not 80p.
All prices, sold by way of retail to consumers, must be inclusive of VAT.
Food and table wine
The Price Marking (Food and Drink on Premises) Order 1979 also controls the pricing of food and table wine in establishments serving food.
In a restaurant a price list or menu must be displayed at a point where a customer can see it before they enter the eating area. If there is a waiting area, which customers must pass through to reach the eating place, it can be displayed there. A price list visible from outside the premises can save everyone embarrassment.
If the customer has to order food at the bar or a food point, in a pub for example, then a price list or menu has to be displayed at that point. However, if the customer cannot see the prices before reaching this point, a further list must be displayed at the entrance to that area.
For both the above establishments, the prices can be given as:
- a whole meal (e.g. haddock and chips £3)
- individual components of the meal (e.g. haddock £2.50, chips 50p).
The prices should be clear and legible so that the average person can easily read them.
If less than 30 descriptions of food are sold, the price of each must be given. If more than 30 descriptions are sold, the price of at least 30 must be shown.
These may be divided into groups such as ‘starters,’ ‘main courses,’ but the prices of at least five descriptions of food in each group must be displayed. If fewer than five are sold in each group, the price of every description of food in that group must be shown.
However, it makes it much easier for every one concerned if the prices of all food sold is given.
If there are no more than six types of table wine are available, a price must be given for all wines. Where more than six types of wine are available, at least six prices must be shown. If you sell more than one type of wine (e.g. white, red, rose), the prices of at least two wines of each type must be displayed.
If there is a minimum charge or service charge, this must also be shown on any menu or price list. It must be as prominent as the prices of the food.
All prices, sold by way of retail to consumers, must be inclusive of VAT.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
The penalty, if found guilty of non-compliance, is a fine of up to £5 000 for summary conviction and an unlimited fine for conviction on indictment.