IN 1979, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph reported that Thwaites Brewery was putting their popular beer up by 3p per pint.

The increase was to affect all deliveries of draught and bottled beers to the 350 outlets. Sales director Mr David Kay, said: “It is 12 months since we increased our prices of draught and bottled beers, and during this time costs have continued to increase.

“We can no longer absorb these increases and so we must regretfully increase our prices.

“We intend to hold down these prices, certainly until late autumn, and for a longer period if possible.

“The new prices become effective on all deliveries from next Monday, so prices should stay the same where old stocks are still being used.”

This also put the price of bitter up to 33p in most pubs in line with spirits, whisky, and gin.

The increase caused concern with landlords as they feared a lot of their trade would switch to the clubs, where a pint of bitter was still at 26p.

A spokesman for

brewer Matthew Brown and Co in Blackburn, Mr Ken Moore, said: “Our prices will not be going up next Monday, but they are currently under review.”

It seemed, nobody agreed to the price change.