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Lock, stock and tourists over a barrel
Benedict Moore-Bridger, Evening Standard7 Aug 2008
Madonna and Guy Ritchie's Mayfair pub is set to be investigated for charging tourists and regulars different prices, the Standard can reveal.
It is one of a series of alleged breaches which, at worst, could see the 18thcentury pub lose its licence six months after it was bought by the couple.
Ritchie and Madonna spent a reported £2.5 million on the Punchbowl, in Farm Street, in February this year, buying it from their friend Greg Foreman, son of gangster Freddie Foreman.
It is a favourite of Hollywood stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Barbra Streisand and situated around the corner from the couple's London home.
But the pub is now set to be investigated by Westminster council after it emerged that tariffs have not been displayed to customers - a legal requirement - and bar staff have allegedly offered reduced prices to locals but increased the cost of a pint to tourists.
Drinkers said the difference was as much as 40p a pint.
Brian Richardson, 52, said that when he complained about being charged £3.90 for a pint instead of the usual £3.50, a member of staff told him they charged more to people they didn't recognise. Despite having used the pub for 12 years, he apparently was charged the "tourist" rate.
He said: "On Monday I paid £3.50 for a pint, now all of a sudden it's £3.90. I was shocked. I complained to staff. They have got two prices - regulars prices and non-regulars prices.
"There is no price list on the wall. I don't mind paying more but it is completely arbitrary. It is not the money, it is the price hike. It is outrageous."
His friend Andy Kneller, 47, said: "When Brian realised how much he was paying he disputed it. There are no signs anywhere. We know the governor. He did say we have prices for regulars and prices for people who don't come here very often. He dropped himself in it."
Sue Jones, head of trading standards at Westminster council, said that by law tariffs had to be displayed and selling drinks at different prices could constitute "unfair trading" under new legislation.
She said the council would now launch an investigation. "In light of these allegations we will be seeking to make contact with the landlord. This may well constitute unfair trading procedures and this is something the council would look into."
As well as apparent drinks irregularities, the pub does not appear to display the name of the licensee above its door.
Assistant manager Henry Heaton denied there was a policy to offer drinks at different prices but apologised for the errors.
He said: "That should not be the case and it won't be the case. As far as I am aware there is no change (in price). There is no difference. There is the old way of doing things and the new way of doing things. Everyone should be paying the same. We need to put up these price sheets so it will be clear to everyone what is going on. The lists will be up and everyone will be able to see."
Ritchie and Madonna are said to be regulars at the pub, in which Ritchie is understood to have a 20 per cent stake.
The couple are reportedly looking at plans to turn the Punchbowl into a gastro pub or private members' club.
Reader views (7)
It seems to me that Loyalty and being a 'regular' as with just about every business transaction in the real world, deserves a discount of some kind. If I buy a hundred pints in the same place a year, surely I am entitled to some incentive from someone who buys 2 pints a year. I am sure that Robert de Niro doesn't mind paying 40p more than a 'local'.
- Bondy, Quesada, Spain, 09/08/2008 17:03
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I totally agree with Sean O'Leary's comment, who the hell does Madonna think she is?! From the moment she settled in England she seemed to think the wildlife here were for the taking, continuously hunting and shooting, not counting the horrific fur coats she wears!
The sooner that woman leaves this country the better for everyone!
- Panda Miranda, London, England, 09/08/2008 12:27
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Is this just another publicity stunt to get Madonna in the papers like adopting black African babies, taking off her wedding ring for a while to give the impression that her and guy 's marriage is on the rocks and the pathetic stunt of flaunting around in a £35,000 fur coat when in the past she said that only dumb morons wear these coats of torture and death. Lets face it, her music was OK back in the day and she is an expert at self publicity, but come on Madge your well past your sell by date, so why not bow out gracefully and lead a quiet life, as the public just are not falling for it any more.
- Sean O'Leary, london england, 08/08/2008 10:03
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Sue Jones, the Head of Trading Standards should take a walk round Soho. Hardly any of the bars there display there prices, not do many display the licensee name above the door.
Plus many building that are licensed as restaurants are clearly trading as pubs. Take Profiles down Frith Street, its officially a restaurant / bar but serves no food (to get round the law they offer people pizza after 10.30 pm - cut into once inch squares. Or the G-A-Y bar down Old Compton Street - again legally a cafe - that has toasted sandwiches for sale but these are permanently sold out.
- Jon, Westminster, 07/08/2008 23:38
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Forget the history surrounding the venue...
I went in there the other week. The lager was average but the price astonishing. If people are prepared to pay through the nose good luck to them, but this is a below average pub for the area and would be better off closed down.
Permanently!
- Steve, London, 07/08/2008 15:47
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I wouldn't pay either price for a pint.
- Ian, new orleans, USA, 07/08/2008 15:39
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Well, nobody complains when airlines charge tourists less than the regulars!
- Edward, London, 07/08/2008 13:23
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