A LANDLORD has warned of a rise in people smuggling in their own drinks to the pub – branding it a “punch in the face”.
Megan Sim said she had recently noticed customers sneaking in full bottles of their own booze to her pub, The Dolphin in Buckinghamshire.
Many pubs are being forced to push up their prices, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 3.66% rise to alcohol duty, which came into force last month.
But industry bosses are urging any pubgoers who are smuggling in their own booze to “stop immediately”, as they warn it could push many pubs “over the edge”.
Megan estimates that The Dolphin, which has been part of Newport Pagnell’s high street since the 17th century, lost around £480 in one night because of booze-smugglers.
She said it’s not “youngsters” flouting the rules, but middle-aged people bringing in “cans, bottles, [and] the little Buzzball cocktails“.
“But they’re still sitting in the pub, still enjoying the entertainment. It’s really frustrating,” she told the BBC.
She claims that during one incident customers brought in two bottles of vodka and a bottle of rum.
UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls said: “Any customers sneaking in alcoholic drinks completely undermines the safe, regulated environment pubs offer for customers to enjoy themselves.
“It also causes financial hardship and emotional stress for both businesses and teams that have to deal with such incidents.
“I’m confident that the vast majority of pubgoers would never sneak in drinks. This small minority that are flouting the rules should stop immediately.”
The cruel trend is yet another blow faced by Britain’s pubs, which have been hit by a perfect storm of business rates hikes, higher alcohol duty, and rising employment costs and energy bills.
According to industry estimates, a thousand face closure this year – meaning 21 boozers a week could shut their doors for good in 2026.
The British Beer and Pub Association added that if booze-smuggling became widespread, “it would push many pubs over the edge”.
A spokesperson said: “Pubs have been through an incredibly challenging period over the past few years and this is simply not something they can absorb.
“With the average pub only making 12p profit on every £5 pint that they pour, every sale is crucial and it’s really important that people support their local so they remain at the heart of their communities.”
