Portrush restaurant to review The Open price hike after £27.95 pasta

The restaurant group said they have listened to customer feedback

A restaurant group in the County Antrim town hosting The Open golf tournament has said it is reviewing recent price increases following a social media backlash.

Ramore Restaurants in Portrush has come under fire after prices went up as the town prepares to host the tournament this week.

At the Ramore Wine Bar, the price of a chicken and bacon burger increased from £7.95 to £17.95 while a bowl of chilli chicken pasta that cost £14.95 earlier this month, rose to £27.95.

"We've listened to the feedback and, as of today, have taken steps to revise and adjust pricing across all of our restaurant menus going forward," Ramore Restaurants said in a statement to BBC News NI.

Ramore Restaurants have been criticised online since raising prices

More than 275,000 spectators are expected to descend on Portrush over the coming days, making it the largest sporting event held in Northern Ireland.

The Ramore is not the only business in Portrush to introduce price rises but it has been the focus of online criticism in recent days, with some sharing last year's menu for comparison.

The new prices saw a burger rise to nearly £18 and a bowl of pasta to almost £30

What else has Ramore said?

The Ramore Restaurants group includes the Harbour Bar, Ramore Wine Bar, Basalt and Neptune and Prawn.

It said the price increases "reflects the significant investment we've made to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and high-quality experience for both locals and visitors".

A spokesperson said it had brought in more than 30 agency staff to support its employees, more than 30 security personnel and more than 20 entertainers over the course of the tournament.

"All of our restaurants are open every day during this exceptionally busy period, and we're committed to delivering the best possible hospitality to everyone who visits," the group said.

"That said, we've listened to the feedback and, as of today, have taken steps to revise and adjust pricing across all of our restaurant menus going forward."

The group said it had reduced prices across its menus for the current championship week, and plans to further adjust and reduce them again once The Open concludes.

More demand, higher prices

In a market economy prices are a mechanism for allocating scarce goods - in this case a meal at a restaurant.

At a time of very high demand on the north coast how should restaurants ration their limited supply of tables?

The economical rational answer is to increase prices: this makes a meal unaffordable for some customers while those who are willing and able to pay the higher price will get their meal.

This price mechanism will be familiar to anyone who has been on a beach holiday: there is more demand for a seat in a beachfront bar therefore prices are higher compared to those places a few streets inland.

Alwyn Darragh, right, pictured with Ian Milligan, says price rises are hard to justify

Mixed reaction

The recent price hikes, which also saw a fillet steak rise to £42.95 and chicken goujons go up from £9.95 to £19.95, were met with a mixed reaction in Portrush on Monday.

Alwyn Darragh from Sion Mills told BBC News NI he did not think the increase was justifiable.

"Not for the local people who are always coming here. Putting the prices up is definitely not right," he said.

Ann Grimley, left, pictured with Damien Grimley, Emma Hall with Ruairí Hall, says any price rises make it difficult for families to enjoy eating out

Similarly, Ann Grimley from Armagh said rising prices would mean eating out for a lot of families would be challenging.

"I wouldn't pay, especially if you have children with you it is a lot of money. But some of the restaurants are reasonable enough… you have to shop around," she said.

Simon Patterson has noticed prices going up in the town

Prices 'going up' in Portrush

Simon Patterson and son Sam were also enjoying a day out in Portrush on Monday.

He said he has noticed prices going up in the town over recent times.

"But at the same time I think you expect it whenever there is a lot of revenue coming in for the town," he said.

"Anyone who comes here maybe expects things to be a wee bit more expensive this week," he added.

Glen Simpson says perhaps people should expect some prices to increase

Price rises 'should not be unexpected'

Glen Simpson, from Ballymoney, works in Portrush.

Hosting The Open, and the huge crowds expected, is a "great thing for the town," he told the BBC.

Price rises, he added, should not be wholly unexpected.

"You have to put those staff on the floor, you are going to have to cover those costs," he said.

"It is what it is. I just think you are living in that time when prices are high, if you were to go on holiday anywhere you would see the same."

'Important to strike a balance'

SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today that many local families were "taken aback" by the price increases.

"I think that even if some messaging had been put out to say that prices were increasing, it might have been a little less shocking," she said.

"I also understand Ramore's perspective on this - they've had to hire more staff for The Open, and there's increased security for a major event like this."

The politician said The Open was "an opportunity to showcase our food, hospitality, culture, and restaurants," but added, "we must remember locals live here as well, and it's really important to strike a balance."

"I'm pleased they have now adjusted the pricing based on the feedback, which is a positive step, and I believe people will continue to support local."

Finding shade was difficult along the course on Sunday

The championship was last played in Portrush in 2019.

Organisers say The Open championship generates more than 5,000 hours of global television coverage, with the competition beamed into 500 million homes.

It is estimated that the championship will boost the Northern Ireland economy by more than £200m.