A pub company has announced its plans to charge customers around 20p more for a pint during busy periods, which could impact locations around the county.

Stonegate Group, which owns locations across Suffolk, announced that it was raising prices at 800 of its venues during peak times, such as evenings and weekends.

This 'dynamic pricing' system has been used before during one-off events such as World Cups, but the system will now be introduced on a more regular basis.

This could affect any pubs located in Suffolk under the Stonegate Group ownership.

These include:

  1. The Plough - Ipswich
  2. Mannings - Ipswich
  3. Flintknappers - Brandon
  4. Weavers Tap - Sudbury
  5. The Volunteer - Lowestoft
  6. The Commodore - Lowestoft
  7. The Waveney - Lowestoft

A spokeswoman for Stonegate said: "Stonegate Group, like all retail businesses, regularly review pricing to manage costs but also to ensure we offer great value for money to our guests.

"Across the managed business, our dynamic pricing encompasses the ability to offer guests a range of promotions including happy hours, two-for-one cocktails and discounts on food and drink products at different times on different days throughout the week.

"This fleixibility may mean that on occasions pricing may marginally increase in pubs and bars due to the increased cost demands on the business with additional staffing or licensing requirements such as additional door team members."

Stonegate has said that prices may differ, depending on the pub.

Customers have been notified of this system, with a "polite notice" in pubs, informing them that they are running it.

Stonegate has been approached to find out which of the seven Suffolk locations will be affected by this new system.