Confusion over soft drinks prices rule

Venues that put a 1,000 per cent mark up on non-alcoholic drinks are the target of a crackdown launched by the Government today. New regulations now demand bars, pubs and restaurants tell you up-front exactly how much you will pay for soft drinks.

From now on all must clearly display prices of mineral water, juice and other non-alcoholic drinks at the bar or on menus in the window.

But an Evening Standard investigation shows the plans are already in disarray.

Many premises have not got a clue about their new responsibilities - or that they are risking a fine of up to £5,000 for flouting the rules.

Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who announced the changes four months ago, said: "All consumers should be able to go for a drink or a meal without worrying about nasty surprises when the bill arrives. We know there are consumer-friendly pubs and restaurants that are already making soft-drink prices clearly available. The rest of the industry must now do the same."

Phil Evans, from the Consumers' Association, said: "Generally soft drinks get dropped off the board so people don't have a clue what they are paying. The mark-up can be up to 1,000 per cent. Given that we are trying to get people to drink more responsibly, premises have got to get their act together."

At the St Martin's Lane Hotel bar in the West End, soft drinks were not on the drinks menu and staff did not even know the prices when asked.

At The International on William IV Street, soft drinks were not listed on the bar menu or on signs. But the director was aware of the new rule.

"I thought it came into force on 1 April," said Philip Matthews. "What you have to realise is that when you get a soft drink you get the same level of service, comfort and furnishings as when you buy an alcoholic drink."

The pubs visited by the Standard were displaying price lists already - although some were in fairly inaccessible places. Prices vary enormously, and the situation is further confused with drinks served in millilitres, ounces and pints and halfpints.

Andrew Pring, editor of trade paper the Morning Advertiser, said the Government had been remiss in not publicising the law more widely.

"It's been a very, very quiet bit of legislation and I think it will take a while for the penny to drop with smaller premises," he said, though big chain pubs would have been briefed by head offices. "Fines of £5,000 is incredibly excessive."

Westminster council trading standards said premises that didn't display prices would be given a written warning in the first instance.