Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s Mayfair pub could be probed for allegedly charging tourists and regulars different prices
Hollywood favourite: Madonna and Ritchie bought The Punchbowl in Mayfair, right
A-ha! Finally, a Madonna Story that doesn’t sound like we are promoting her career!
(See my recent Rant AM I THE ONLY ONE SEEING THIS??? Madonna Named the Ultimate Face by New York Magazine, PR Machine at Work? WTF?)
From the Daily Mail -
Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s Mayfair pub is set to be investigated for charging tourists and regulars different prices. It is one of a series of alleged breaches which, at worst, could see the 18th century pub lose its licence six months after it was bought by the couple. 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 an investigation by the Evening Standard revealed 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. Customers said the difference was as much as 78 cents a pint.
Sue Jones, head of trading standards at the local council, says, “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.”
Kind of sketchy!
See the FULL STORY AFTER THE JUMP
The London pub part-owned by MADONNA and GUY RITCHIE is facing investigation by trading standards officials amid allegations of unfair pricing strategies.
The Hollywood couple bought shares worth $5 million (GBP2.5 million) in The Punchbowl – just around the corner from their west London home – in February (08).
But the landlord has been accused of having two different pricelists for drinks – one for locals and another for tourists.
One complainant, Brian Richardson, claimed the barman had admitted to having separate tariffs when he protested about the price of his pint of beer.
Richardson claims he was charged $7.80 (GBP3.90) for one beer, when he had previously paid $7.00 (GBP3.50).
He says, “On Monday I paid GBP3.50 for a pint, now all of a sudden it’s GBP3.90. 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.”
The Punchbowl is now facing an official investigation by Westminster council. Sue Jones, head of trading standards at the local council, says, “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.” However, the pub’s assistant manager, Henry Heaton, has denied the price fixing accusations: “That should not be the case and it won’t be the case. As far as I’m aware, there is no change (in price). There is no difference… Everyone should be paying the same.”
The Ritchies are believed to have a 20 per cent stake in The Punchbowl, which counts Hollywood stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Barbra Streisand among its regulars. -WENN
UPDATE:
MADONNA + RITCHIE CLEARED OVER PUB PRICE FIXING
The London pub part-owned by MADONNA and GUY RITCHIE has been cleared of price fixing. The Hollywood couple bought shares worth $5 million (GBP2.5 million) in The Punchbowl – just around the corner from their west London home – in February (08). But the landlord has been accused of having two different price lists for drinks – one for locals and another for tourists. However, a spokesman for the pub denies unfair pricing strategies. He says, “Every pub has to change their prices and this came in the middle of the change.” Westminster council have investigated and confirm a fixed price list is now on display.
