'Cheap shot': Shrewsbury pubs withdraw controversial signs
Controversial "pricewatch" boards outside two town centre JD Wetherspoon pubs have been removed – after they were branded a "cheap shot".
The Posh Pricewatch A-boards compared the prices of drinks at the Wetherspoon-owned Montgomery's Tower and Shrewsbury Hotel in Shrewsbury to rival establishments in the town including Blind Tiger, The Alb, Libertine, St Nicholas and The Armoury.
But the pub giant has now taken the signs away after admitting they had "upset" some people, and said it had not been the chain's intention to offend landlords of independent bars.
Pictures of the A-boards have appeared in social media after they were first put up on Friday.
Sam Taylor, owner of The Libertine Cocktail Bar and Tea Rooms on Butcher Row, caused a stir when he posted a photo of the board on Facebook.
He wrote: "Would that A-board entice you into Monties? I would definitely pay the extra to support any of the independent, locally owned business where customer service and creating a nice safe atmosphere to enjoy your drinks and food is the number one priority – but maybe I'm just biased."
Sam, who also owns House of the Rising Sun on Butcher Row, saw his post attracting more than 120 likes and 65 comments yesterday – with Amy Telford posting: "This is a cheap shot! Pardon the pun."
James Hitchin, who opened the family-run The Alb on Smithfield Road in October 2012, also reacted to Wetherspoon's tactics.
He said: "Shrewsbury is built on independent bars and pubs. It's all about supporting the local economy.
"That's why we buy local food from local people and that might cost a little more but we live happy in the knowledge that we are supporting the man next door."
But both Mr Taylor and Mr Hitchin took the marketing stunt with a decent measure of good spirit.
"It's also a massive compliment," said Mr Hitchin.
Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoon said: "It is not our intention to cause offence to other pub and restaurant operators.
"Having been made aware that the boards have upset some people, we have decided not to display them.
"We will decide, in due course, whether to continue to put them outside the pubs or not."
