FOR pasty fans in Cornwall it was a tax too far, but despite a climbdown by the Government, the levy does remain on those kept warm for customers.
During a lunchtime break last week, Truro's many bakery outlets could be seen doing a brisk trade in pastry snacks, bread and cakes, many relying heavily on trade in pasties.
Earlier this year thousands signed petitions against the Chancellor George Osborne's plan to add VAT onto all pasties, pies and sausage rolls.
After a U-turn it was announced VAT would only be charged on those kept warm for consumption.
For many pasty outlets it has had little or no effect.
Sam Osborne, manager of the Oggy Oggy Pasty Co shop and café in Truro, said: "We have had some people coming in and asking whether the prices have gone up.
"We think it might have a small impact but we are baking pasties all day so most of ours come straight out of the oven, so it doesn't affect us so much.
"I have heard that other shops have turned off their hot display cabinets though and are just selling their pasties from the oven or letting them cool.
"We do get quite a lot of people asking for cold pasties to take home and heat anyway so there are people who don't mind them cold."
Brian Stanlick, managing director of the company, added: "In our cafés you have to pay VAT anyway so we will still have them in a hot cabinet for those customers."
Mr Stanlick admitted many people thought the threat of a pasty tax had gone after the protests.
