Matt and Cat\'s Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide
Cowes Week 2013: food price survey results Cowes Week 2013: food price survey results
Everyone says that food is expensive in Cowes Week, don’t they? But are they right? This is the third year that Matt and Cat... Cowes Week 2013: food price survey results

Everyone says that food is expensive in Cowes Week, don’t they? But are they right?

This is the third year that Matt and Cat have surveyed prices of food at over 40 outlets and venues in Cowes, and once again it seems as though popular wisdom is wrong – food is actually cheaper this year than it was in Cowes Week 2012.

So our annual infographic is back with this year’s price results in more detail.
Who sells the cheapest coffee? And who sells the dearest? See the full infographic here.

It might be the keener competition amongst venues, or the effects of the credit crunch, but whatever the reason the averages have come down again for most of the items surveyed – just as they did the previous year.

The most impressive drop is in the average price of a burger – from £7.00 in 2011, it dropped 45p to £6.55 in 2012 and in this year the trend continued with a massive 94p drop to only £5.61. A portion of chips would set you back £2.34 in 2011, and following a small fall in 2012 the price has dropped again to an average of only £2.05. And although a fish and chips meal would have cost an average of £8.66 in 2012, this year it was more than £1.50 less at only £7.03. But it’s not all good news – the crews’ favourite, all-day breakfast – the only food item that has actually gone up in price – has risen from £6.14 to an average of £6.70. And coffee continues its price rise, up to an average of £1.88.

These results might not always mean better value – for example, some venues might be choosing to offer smaller meals or cheaper ingredients, but they demonstrate that the typical price of eating out in Cowes Week is actually still going down.

Note: not all venues in Cowes were surveyed, and food and drink was not sampled so the prices will refer to quite different offers. This year Gurnard was not surveyed, and some temporary stalls in Cowes Yacht Haven were included. Prices were recorded on 3 August 2013 and may change.

  • Sean says:

    Certainly need to watch them prices!

    While chatting after our meal on Firework Night, our bill arrived, only to be whisked away again by the Manager and reduced, the explanation was “I don’t charge locals the Cowes Week Prices”

    I wont name and shame in case I don’t get future discount!!

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