As someone who has drunk gallons of Dry Martini and soda over the years in and around Brighton, I am amazed to find the variation of prices, particularly for the soda. I have never had to pay more than £3, tops, anywhere for this drink – but now one or two venues are currently charging £3.50, which includes an extraordinary £1 for just 2in of carbonated water. It is totally unacceptable to charge the same for soda as for Coke, lemonade and orange juice.

During these times of financial uncertainty when regular good customers are to be valued, one would have thought that bars would be careful in such matters.

After all, it was not so long ago when soda was provided free in venues.

John Barton, Church Place, Brighton