Why do sausage rolls and veterinary fees vary in price across London?

Have you ever wondered why the same item costs more or less depending on where in London you buy it?

Take a bog standard Greggs’ sausage roll for example. If you buy it in an outer London borough like Sutton, it costs £1.35. But if you buy it in central London you're likely to pay £1.60.

You might have guessed that the price difference, according to Greggs, is often about location.

"We use national pricing across most of our shops however, this can vary in certain locations where costs are higher than average, such as travel hubs," they told the BBC in a statement.

So far so obvious perhaps.

What about going out for pizza?

You might think the price of a pizza at the same chain would be the same wherever in London you eat it.

Not necessarily.

A Duo Romana pizza from Pizza Express costs £20.95 in Muswell Hill, north London.

But three miles (5km) further north in Southgate, the same pizza at Pizza Express costs a pound more.

And in central London the same pizza will set you back £22.95.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney from the Complaining Cow , external website says that as well as higher costs in central London, the price difference can also be due to how convenient it is to get to the restaurant.

Southgate has a Tube station, Muswell Hill does not.

"It’s all about cashing in on convenience for people.

"One will be nearer a Tube, so they’re counting on people saying 'Oh, I'll just get a pizza on the way home'.

"Whereas another you might have to make a journey to it."

Other examples of cross-borough price variations include:

A Vue cinema ticket bought online costs £6.99 in Eltham, but £9.99 in Piccadilly or Angel, Islington

A blow dry at Rush hair salon costs from £45 in Kentish Town, north London but £40 in Ilford, east London

Fish, chips and a drink in Wetherspoons in Sidcup, south-east London costs £11.18 but the same meal in Camden Town, north London costs £12.77.

Also, petrol prices can vary from pump to pump at the same company and within as little as a mile (1.5km) radius.

A recent example from EG On the Move on the same day in London found these price variations:

Unleaded (E10): 171.9p – 177.9p per litre

Diesel (B7): 198.2p – 201.9p.

Other forecourts also charge more or less if they are near a main road or a motorway or part of a supermarket for example.

For this Dewdney recommends downloading a price comparison app like petrolprices.com , external

"You can look at the distance as well as the price difference so you’re not driving too far away," she explained.

"It’s not always the nearest one that’s worth going to."

Vet bills are another example.

Recent changes to legislation mean that vets must publish a comprehensive price list for standard services but it does not necessarily follow that vets in a different practice at the same chain will have the same prices.

Vets for Pets in Pets At Home is a case in point.

In Pets At Home in Chingford, east London the Vets for Pets practice charges £136 for a rabbit castration including two follow-up consultations.

The same treatment at Vets For Pets in Pets At Home in Enfield, north London costs £70.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney admits being surprised that the price can almost double from one practice to another.

"I think it's an interesting one, because they're saying it's a franchise and they can set their own prices.

"Although the government did bring in some changes for vets, it wasn't about capping the prices. It was just that they had to be more transparent," she explained.

Pets At Home said: "Vets for Pets practices are independently owned and operated, with practice owners having full clinical and day-to-day operational autonomy, including setting fees for delivering the high-quality care and services they provide.

"Pricing decisions are made locally and vary for many reasons including factors such as operating costs, staffing, facilities and the unique needs of the communities they serve.

"All costs are communicated clearly with clients ahead of any treatment or service being provided."

The company also said that veterinary practices had, like many businesses across the UK "experienced increased operating costs over the past year, including rises in energy, wages, medicines and other essential supplies".

It added: "These pressures are felt right across the sector, but practice teams work hard to keep costs as low as possible to ensure high-quality care is accessible and affordable for pet owners in their local communities."

So what is the moral of the story?

Perhaps to shop around, and not to assume that prices at the same chain will be the same wherever you go, whether that be for veterinary care, your weekly shop, having your hair done or filling up the car.

Price comparison websites can be a useful tool, and it is worth remembering that just because goods may be from the same restaurant, supermarket or petrol station in a different area, prices may well vary.

Or as Dewdney summed up: "People have just got to do their research."

Additional reporting by Rita Monjardino

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