A Norfolk pub popular with celebrities has defended its prices after a customer left a review accusing its menu being too expensive.
The White Horse Bar & Restaurant in East Runton published a lengthy Facebook post explaining the costs involved in running an independent hospitality venue.
In the post, which runs to more than 650 words, the pub breaks down what happens to a typical £100 food and drink bill.
It points out that £16.67 of that immediately goes to the government as VAT, before any ingredients are bought or staff are paid.
The post goes on to list the layers of costs behind each plate served – from staff wages and pensions contributions to energy and insurance costs and business rates.
The post attracted nearly 700 likes and around 100 comments, the vast majority supportive of the business and its detailed explanation of the challenges and costs facing the hospitality sector.
The White Horse, which is run by Carl Stairs, has become a destination venue on the north Norfolk coast and has hosted celebrity guests including Katie Price, Mark Wright, Michelle Keegan and Olly Murs.
Its intervention comes at a difficult time for pubs and restaurants.
The National Living Wage has risen sharply since 2024, and operators say employment costs, energy bills and ingredient prices have all climbed over the past 18 months.
The White Horse’s post ends by thanking customers for their support and arguing that “value” is about quality, service and experience as much as the price printed beside each dish – a message echoing across coastal Norfolk, where many pubs are fighting to survive.
RATE RUMBLES
One of the biggest challenges for pubs has been a recent rise in the rates they must pay.
Earlier this year, a revaluation of rateable property values - the figure used to calculate business rates - combined with the end of the 40pc Covid-era relief for the hospitality sector, saw bills for some pubs, restaurants and hotels rise by thousands of pounds a year.
Last week, new prime minister Andy Burnham announced that business rates will be cut by 20pc for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year.
The government said the measure will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses across England and is expected to save a typical pub around £1,100 a year.
However, the relief has not been extended to restaurants, hotels and the wider hospitality industry.
Share