A council-run tourist venue has been criticised due to its "extortionate" ice cream prices.
One mother was "shocked" after she visited the historic Coombe Abbey Park in Coventry during Easter. Emma McAfferty went to Coombe Abbey with her young son on Tuesday April 2.
She was "taken aback" by the price of ice creams, which amounted to £5.70 for a twin with a flake. Emma went ahead with purchasing the ice creams regardless but ended up spending £7.90.
If the prices had been shown clearly, the 37-year-old revealed that she would have "avoided" the kiosk, which is run by No Ordinary Hospitality Management. However, a spokesman for NOHM said the prices were displayed clearly.
Speaking to CoventryLive, Emma, 37, said: “I just went for an afternoon at Coombe Abbey Park. I went with my son and he could see that the other children had ice creams so wanted one! We were in the queue and once you are in the queue you have committed to buying one, then you get to the point where you can see the prices on the wall and it was just really extortionate prices.”
Emma reluctantly forked out £7.90 so as not to upset her young son, saying: “I was taken aback by how much they were actually charging for ice cream and I only have one child but say if you have two or three children, it is quite a hefty price for a treat.” Emma said she visited Skegness last weekend and was able to buy three ice creams for just £7.50. “I was really shocked to then to see those prices at Coombe Abbey,” the mum-of-one said.
She added: “People are saying support local businesses and trying to get people to spend money within Coventry but they do not have to charge that much, they would still make a profit. I think people need an advance warning. If I had an advance warning I would not have brought one or even got in the queue, I would have made some excuse not to buy one so just a warning to other people, either take a lot of extra cash with you or avoid it!”
Residents have shared their thoughts on the prices being charged, with one person describing them as "ridiculous". Another said there was "no chance" they would pay the prices being charged at Coombe Abbey, which is owned by Coventry City Council.
Candy Coyle commented: “I just looked and walked away telling my kids there was no chance I would pay that, more people need to do the same and the prices would soon come down!” A second said: “While people are prepared to buy, these prices will continue! Stop buying, the prices will tumble, the consumers have the power, it is up to them to exercise it.” Sid Sidat suggested: “Take your own ice cream in a cooler box with your picnic if you feel the prices are expensive.” Another said: “It is one of them, you either pay it or not, simple as that!”
A spokesman for No Ordinary Hospitality Management said: “Items from the kiosk start at £2.50 and all prices are clearly displayed on the board. We work as hard as we possibly can to offer refreshments and treats to suit all budgets but we have had to increase the prices of these particular ice creams due to a 26 per cent rise in the cost of ingredients and a 10 per cent rise in staffing costs. We are in regular contact with our suppliers and our ice cream prices are in line with other outlets which have fixed costs.”