AN IRVINE bar will be running a special promotion next week - with prices reduced for one day only.

The Auld Brig at the Rivergate Shopping Centre will be cutting the price of all food and non-alcoholic drink by 7.5 per cent on Thursday, September 12 to mark Tax Equality Day.

The JD Wetherspoon pub is aiming to use the day to promote the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.

The pub's manager, Daniel Quinn, said: "It’s unfair that supermarkets pay zero VAT on food, but pubs pay 20 per cent.

"Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades due to the tax disadvantages it has with supermarkets.

"The tax benefit allows supermarkets to subsidise the selling price of beer. It doesn't make sense for the hospitality industry to subsidise supermarkets.

"We urge the chancellor to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets."