A PERFECT storm of high living costs and national challenges facing pubs has been blamed for the price of beer in Oxfordshire.

Research released today by the Good Pub Guide showed the average price of a pint is £3.62, with only six other counties and London charging more.

It means a tipple here costs 41p more than in Herefordshire – the cheapest part of Great Britain to whet your whistle.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) spokesman Dave Richardson said drinkers in the county were suffering due to high rents and utility costs in Oxfordshire, as well as "negative arrangements" with pub owners.

He said: "Many landlords are in a situation with their owners – whether pub companies or breweries – where they have to buy beer at prices above market rates.

"It is a shame because a pint of real ale is nearly £4 now, which is a bit of a psychological barrier. People think they can't afford it at this sort of price."

Average cost of a pint elsewhere: 

Herefordshire – £3.21
Worcestershire – £3.32
Wales – £3.33
Dorset – £3.40
Cornwall – £3.41
Hampshire – £3.54
Oxfordshire – £3.62
Kent – £3.72
Surrey – £3.75
London – £4.08

Mr Richardson said CAMRA had worked hard to reduce the price of a pint, including pressuring former chancellor George Osborne to scrap the beer duty escalator, which put the price of a pint up each year. This came into effect in November last year.

Mr Richardson said: "Of course that does not necessarily get through to the customer.

"Legislation has also come in to make it easier for landlords who feel they are getting a bad deal from pub companies or breweries to appeal.

"But it might take quite some time for it to kick in properly."

Mr Richardson added that high pint prices meant people were more likely to drink at home, but that this was damaging to the pub industry and also to people's health, as they may drink more in their own living rooms.

Oxford Mail:

There was some good news for drinkers in the Good Pub Guide's survey, which showed the average price of a pint had gone up by just 1p across Britain in the past year, compared to 15p the previous year.

Peter Jones, landlord of The Queen's Head in Eynsham, said in his 33 years in the pub trade beer prices had always been higher in Oxfordshire.

He said: "Our overheads are very high and business costs are very high.

"It is partly to do with lack of competition as well I think.

"There is a knock-on effect that people will sit and drink at home.

"They are not people who want to socialise. The pub is a very social place.

"High prices are bad news for the pub trade in Oxfordshire and it is a bit of a vicious circle."