JD Wetherspoons have announced they will be slashing prices of a select number of drinks to just 99p after the budget announcement from Rishi Sunak yesterday.
The popular British pub chain will be reducing the price of Greene King IPA, Beck's bottles and whiskey measures to 99p, amongst other offers.
Between Monday 1 November and Tuesday 30 November, these cheap pints will be available in bars across the UK, though due to minimum pricing in Scotland and Wales, prices will be slightly higher.
Hot drink prices have also been slashed, with JD Wetherspoons introducing 99p refillable tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
JD Wetherspoons are known for their strong political opinions and have used government announcements to promote their pubs for years.
During the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August 2020 and in the following months, the pub chain shared a number of 'Sunak Specials', including £1.29 ales.
Wetherspoons also displayed posters with images of the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the phrase: "Rishi Sunak, legend: the man who instigated tax equality between supermarkets and pubs."
Regardless of your political opinion, the reduction in prices will give everyone cheaper pint or whiskey measure throughout November.
Rishi Sunak has been the unofficial face of many Wetherspoons campaigns throughout the pandemic. / Image: HM Treasury
The prices to many alcoholic beverages were changed, including a 3p reduction in tax per pints in pubs and 87p reduction in prosecco tax.
Overall, it appears that there will be a 30p price hike across the hospitality industry after the news yesterday.
However, many taxes rose: red wines, sherry and port face an increase of 47p - £1.09 in tax.
These changes are set to come into effect in February 2023.
On average, the price of a bottle of bin is already charged with 70% tax, so additional tax on high ABV drinks will present challenges to some businesses.
However, it appears that Tim Martin has taken the changes in his usual stride.
The Wetherspoons chairman spoke out about the unforeseen offer, announcing: "our pubs are known for their excellent choice of drinks at value-for-money prices at all times".
Hedley Verity on Woodhouse Lane will be participating in the 99p offer. / Image: JD Wetherspoons
There are 20 pubs within a 10-mile-radius of Leeds city centre, many of which are located in the city centre.
In LS1 customers at Beckett's Bank and The Hedley Verity will be taking full advantage of the price cut to their favourite drinks and undoubtedly the rest of Leeds will be too at their local.
The 99p drinks offer will run throughout the entire month of November. For more information, visit your local branch or the JD Wetherspoons website.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
28th October 2021 
