Tennis fans have slammed Wimbledon bosses as the price of a pint creeps towards the £10 mark. A pint of Stella Artois at the tournament costs £8.85, while a special limited-edition strawberries and cream Stella costs even more at £9.30. Pimm's, a long-time favourite of tennis lovers, now costs £13.45, up £1.20 since last year. Punters wanting to pair it with strawberries and cream, which costs £2.85, will have to pay £16.30.
Fans Express Outrage
Die-hard Wimbledon fan Anna Hallet, 29, from London, claimed punters were being “robbed blind”. She said: “The price of Pimm’s is extortionate. We are all conned into it because it is so hot. But it is Wimbledon so you have to throw yourself in and embrace the prices. I do like the taste – it is fruity and summery. It is the taste of Wimbledon, unfortunately. Almost £10 for a pint of strawberries and cream Stella so you are being robbed blind.”
Social media users also fumed at the price of the drink. One wrote: "Bad news for those who like drinking Pimm's at Wimbledon. The price has been increased by £1.20 to £13.45 a glass!" Writing in response, another person exclaimed: "It’s £10 for a large bottle in Sainsbury's!" A second fumed: "The rich don't care. They'll pay whatever they’re charged for Pimm's because they're there for the day out and experience even though the majority of them know anything about tennis."
Tournament Director Defends Prices
Michelle Dite, the tournament’s operations director, defended the almost 10% increase in the price of Pimm’s. She said: “What we don’t want to be doing is artificially holding prices because that leads to other problems because we get into a state whereby you get into a state where you are putting massive hikes in. The feedback we are getting from our guests is that we are okay.”
Wine Pricing Error Offers Bargain
It comes as a posh restaurant at SW19 was forced to serve up a bargain to customers after a printing error listed fancy wine at rock bottom prices. The Centenary Brasserie, which overlooks court 11 at the famous Tennis venue, listed two white wines at less than half price. Bumbling bosses honoured the mistaken price as customers flocked to get their hands on large glasses of Piquepoul/Terret Blanc from France, which had been listed at £6.95, instead of its correct price of £15.95. The same pricing error also affected a 250ml glass of Thirsty Birds Chardonnay, from England, and diners were able to get it at the printed price.
One customer said there had been confusion after spotting the discrepancy on their bill. They told the Daily Mail: "They tried to charge us £15.95 for the wine. I told them it was listed at £6.95. They removed it off the bill after taking ages. Then the waitress said it had been an issue all day with the menu, which also didn't even have the starters listed." A member of staff told the paper: "The prices should be around £14 for a big glass but it takes too much time to explain to people [why there is a different price]. We think we're getting new menus tomorrow."
