London Gastropub Faces Backlash Over Discretionary Carbon Charge

The Pig and Butcher, a historic gastropub located in Islington, London, has recently found itself in hot water after a diner noticed an unexpected charge on their bill. This well-regarded establishment, known for offering high-quality British cuisine such as Celeriac Milanese and Beef Wellington, has become the subject of debate following the customer's revelation of a £1.23 fee designated for "Carbon Free Dining." Although the amount is modest, it has ignited discussions about the clarity of charges reflected on restaurant receipts.

On a popular online platform, the surprised customer commented on their experience, noting that while they were accustomed to service charges, the addition of a carbon-related fee was unusual. This sentiment echoed in responses from other users, who criticized the trend of unexpected fees slipping into bills, suggesting it originated from practices seen in the United States. They raised concerns about whether such charges were transparently communicated within the restaurant's menu and discussed the implications of service percentages being applied to these additional costs.

The restaurant’s parent company has clarified that the carbon fee is voluntary and can be waived upon request. They highlighted that contributions from customers this year have made significant donations to initiatives like GiftTrees, which focuses on planting trees for environmental sustainability, and StreetSmart, which supports homelessness charities. One patron expressed support for these initiatives, seeing them as a forward-thinking approach that encourages diners to consider the environmental impacts of their choices while dining out. They emphasized the option to decline the fee for those who may not wish to pay it.