Price of pulling pints to go up
Page 16

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
To put it mildly, the big London brewers are unimpressed by plans to extend the congestion charging zone. Jennifer Ball reports.
PLANS TO EXTEND London congestion charging west to incorporate the boroughs of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster will cost beer delivery firms delivering to London an extra £15,000 a year. according to The Brewery Logistics Group.
The group, which includes Young's Brewery, Exel's Tradeteam division and other major players like Guinness and Carlsberg UK, says costs will rise by a further £3,000 if plans to raise the charge to £6 are given the green light.
It estimates that Tradeteam alone will see charges rise by 15%, from £33,700 to £38,750, while the bill for Young's will rise 26%. from £6,750 to £8500.
Group chairman Mike Bracey says:"The level of charges is ridiculous, especially combined with the huge parking fines that operators are receiving.
"Even if Westminster Council refuses to exempt commercial vehicles from the charge it should offer them a discounted rate.
-The breweries are just trying to do theirjob and deliver to the pubs and clubs that keep London's economy thriving," he says.