• The Plough Inn in Harborne, Birmingham, has started charging customers a 30p fee if they order drinks at the bar, instead of using their smartphones to order and pay. The pub's owner, James Cavanagh, says this is to encourage customers to use the pub's app, which helps reduce queues and staffing costs. Cavanagh argues that the fee is necessary to cover the costs of having staff at the bar and that it helps maintain a more efficient service.

• Many customers have expressed outrage at the new policy, with some calling it "ridiculous" and "greedy." Some argue that the fee penalizes those who prefer to interact with staff directly or who may not have access to smartphones. The pub has defended the policy, stating that it is optional and that customers can still order at the bar without paying the fee if they prefer.

• The Plough Inn's decision to charge a fee for ordering at the bar is part of a broader trend among pubs and restaurants to encourage the use of mobile ordering and payment apps. While some customers appreciate the convenience and efficiency of these apps, others see the fees as an unnecessary burden and a way for businesses to cut costs at the expense of customer service and personal interaction.