Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jamie Oliver slammed by Wetherspoons boss for 'showboating' on soft drinks tax

Tim Martin says that Oliver's actions will lead to the closure of more even more pubs across the UK

Alan Jones
Tuesday 20 October 2015 13:37 BST
Comments
Jamie Oliver holds up a bottle of Ribena as he speaks at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes at the House of Commons
Jamie Oliver holds up a bottle of Ribena as he speaks at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes at the House of Commons

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The chairman of pubs giant Wetherspoon has criticised Jamie Oliver's campaign for higher taxes on soft drinks, accusing the TV chef of “showboating”.

Tim Martin said a new tax would cost pubs millions of pounds at a time when their prices were already high compared to supermarkets.

Mr Oliver has introduced a levy on sugary drinks in his restaurants and is calling on the Government to introduce a tax on fizzy drinks.

Mr Martin said: "Jamie Oliver runs restaurants which cater to an affluent clientele. He is either courting the favour of the elite or is badly out of touch with the majority of people.

"I believe that he should campaign for tax equality for pubs, restaurants and supermarkets, since pubs and restaurants pay 20% vat on food sales, compared to zero for supermarkets.

"Showboating of this kind by Jamie Oliver will close pubs."

Mr Martin pointed to the fact that Pepsi is now the company's biggest selling draught product with 580,000 drinks served in the past seven days, of which 197,000 were Diet Pepsi.

In the same period Wetherspoon's 950 pubs served almost one million sugar-free coffees and teas.

He added: "Sales of non-sugar drinks in the non-alcoholic category are increasing at a rapid rate and are in the great majority, when you take into account coffee and tea.

"Customers already pay a lot for soft drinks when they go out and we don't need another 'big brother' tax."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in