Grim down south (A letter in The Times)

Sir, A visit to the delightful town of Emsworth in Hampshire highlighted the large pricing differential for alcohol in pubs North and South.
In my area two pints of good real ale plus a standard glass of wine costs £8.95 but in Emsworth (and probably throughout southern England) the same round was £11.75. What is defining this differential?
Richer customers in the South? Therefore market exploitation. Higher costs in the South? Or more price conscious customers in the North? Because I cannot believe the price paid by licensees in the South for their beer and wine, is any different from up here.

DAVID CU LM
Littleover, Derbyshire

The Times 13th October 2011

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