'The timing is awful': Offaly publican slams latest Diageo pint price increase

The owner of Guinness, Diageo, is again increasing the price of a pint, in a move which has been sharply criticised by an Offaly publican and trade representative.

John Clendennen, President of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), and owner of Giltraps Bar and Glamping in Kinnity, was commenting today (Wednesday) on correspondence from Diageo in which the multinational firm said the price of a pint would increase by four cents - five cents with VAT included - from next month.

Diageo cited "rising business costs" as the reason for the increase.

The price rise will apply to Guinness and to the company's other draught brands, such as Carlsberg, Smithwicks, Harp, Rockshore and Hop House 13.

In a statement on behalf of the VFI, Mr Clendennen described the price increase as poorly timed and deeply unfair to both consumers and publicans.

"This is incomprehensible, both in the need for such an increase and the timing of it. Diageo took a 12-cent increase back in February which, in my memory, is the highest-ever increase imposed," he said.

"Many of the factors under 'rising business costs' which Diageo refer to as justification for the increase were either known back in February, and included in that increase, or, indeed, have reduced in the meantime.

"The timing is awful," he added.

"We are in the middle of peak tourist season, businesses in tourist areas that need good summers to see them through the quiet winter period are suffering from the loss of accommodation beds, while the consumer is reeling from increased mortgage and other cost of living increases.

"I can't think of a more inopportune time for a supplier to even be thinking of increasing prices, let alone doing it.

"I believe Diageo are out of tune with both their customers and the consumer. I will be calling on Diageo to review this decision immediately," Mr Clendennen concluded.