A pub slashed 25p off a pint of beer and offered discounted grub in support of the national tax equality day.

The discount day – held last Wednesday – is part of a campaign to support the lobbying of a reduced VAT rate from 20 per cent to five per cent for pubs and restaurants.

More than 15,000 hospitality venues took part, including the Fox and Duck pub on the village green in Therfield, near Royston.

Landlord Ivan Titmuss said: “I reduced my prices by 7.5 per cent to show customers what their bills would look like if the rate is reduced by the April 2015 budget. It took 25p off a pint.

“We are not looking for special treatment, but when you consider, specifically, supermarkets do not pay VAT on many items, yet your local pays 20 per cent VAT on everything, we are just asking for fairness.

“This year, on average 31 pubs are closing every week. Most landlords blame their pub’s closure on the size of their quarterly VAT bill.”

He said the one-day promotion encouraged more punters to venture out of their homes and a petition has already gained more than 100 signatures.

“We took lots of money. When you tell people they are getting 25p off a pint of beer or £2 or £3 off their food it makes a big difference,” said Ivan.