Brits Reveal Maximum Price They'll Pay for a Pint as Costs Rise

Brits have revealed the maximum price they are willing to pay for a pint of beer as prices are set to rise again. A survey of 2,000 adults found that, on average, people will pay up to £5.45 for a pint, £6.23 for a glass of wine, £3.99 for a takeaway coffee, and £4.79 for a sandwich from a local café or bakery.

Small Businesses Hit by Rising Costs

A separate study of 500 small business owners found that two-thirds have raised their prices three or more times in the past five years, with a quarter planning another increase before the end of summer. The primary reasons for passing on costs to customers are supplier costs and energy bills. Nearly half (49%) also considered staff wages before raising prices.

Over the last year, small business owners have seen their expenses surge by nearly 17% on average, while monthly energy costs have increased by an average of 23% over the previous five years. Now, 82% are bracing themselves for further increases throughout the rest of 2026.

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Businesses Try to Avoid Passing on Costs

The research, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, revealed that 88% of business owners consider price increases as a last resort. However, 86% have made behind-the-scenes adjustments to avoid passing costs onto customers wherever feasible. Many have cut back on non-essential spending (31%), absorbed costs by reducing profit margins (30%), and even reduced their own salaries (28%). A quarter have worked to cut their energy usage, while 23% have entered negotiations with suppliers to secure better deals.

Victoria Bacon, a director at Smart Energy GB, said: 'We can see many small business owners are doing everything they can to manage rising running costs, while limiting the impact on their customers. When it comes to managing bills, a smart meter can help business owners track their energy use and identify where they might be able to save some money on their energy costs. It can be a helpful tool for small business owners having to manage cashflow and budgets, and it's quick and easy to get a smart meter installed.'

Concerns Over Further Price Hikes

While 34% believe customers have generally been understanding when prices have risen, a staggering 81% are still concerned about the prospect of hiking them further. Of these, 38% recognise that customers are already grappling with the cost of living and may not be able to stretch their budgets any further. An additional 36% worry that their customer base could start seeking cheaper alternatives elsewhere.

A separate survey of 2,000 adults delved into how much Brits are prepared to spend on everyday items before drawing the line. When it comes to meals, those surveyed are happy to spend around £11 on a full English breakfast or fish and chips, but are content to pay over £15 for a Sunday roast. More than half (54%) confessed they have reined in discretionary spending in recent years. Eating out (55%), new clothes (51%), and takeaways (49%) are among the most common areas where budgets have been tightened.

Despite this, a whopping 84% still believe it's crucial to back their local independent businesses, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll. A significant 61% want to do so to bolster the local economy, while 56% are keen to contribute to job preservation. A further 53% express a desire to help prevent closures of shops on their local high streets.