Some pubs in Tayside and Fife could begin charging drinkers more at peak times.
Stonegate, which owns six pubs in the regions, is introducing the prices in some bars due to rising costs.
It says it will charge about 20p more per pint during peak hours due to cost increases.
Although short-term alcohol promotions such as happy hours are banned in Scotland, with any price changes having to last at least 72 hours, it could mean different pricing on weekdays compared to weekends, for example
Licensing lawyer, Janet Hood, said: “Prices would have to be maintained for 72 hours.
“Let’s say you have Tennent’s priced at £3 and put it up to £3.20 on Friday when you open, it would have to stay the same through Saturday and Sunday – there is no way around it.”
The group, which is the UK’s largest pub chain, said it will introduce “dynamic pricing” at 800 of its 4,000 UK bars during evenings and weekends.
Find out if your local is owned by Stonegate Group.
Dundee
- Nether Inn, Perth Road
- The Braes, Perth Road.
Fife
- The Exchequer, High Street, Kirkcaldy
- East Port Bar, East Port, Dunfermline
- The Rule, South Street, St Andrews.
Perth
- Sandeman, Kinoull Street.
It is not currently known if any of the local pubs will introduce the pricing system.
A spokesperson for Stonegate said: “Stonegate Group, like all retail businesses, regularly review pricing to manage costs but also to ensure we offer great value for money to our guests.
“Across the managed business our dynamic pricing encompasses the ability to offer guests a range of promotions including happy hours, 2-for-1 cocktails, and discounts on food and drink products at different times on different days throughout the week.
“This flexibility may mean that on occasions pricing may marginally increase in selective pubs and bars due to the increased cost demands on the business with additional staffing or licensing requirements such as additional door team members.”
Customers will be alerted of any price changes through notices in the affected pubs.
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