Pub responds to backlash after charging £19.50 for a burger

A pub owner has responded to complaints over the cost of his food after some people sparked a backlash over charging £19.50 for a burger.

Picking out a series of comments people had made, Usher said someone's suggestion that they should measure their prices against other pubs in their area was 'just ridiculous'.

He explained to those people who were complaining about the price that it's 'not how you price up a menu', talking the doubters through the process of buying the ingredients and putting it all together.

Assuring people that he and his team knew what they were doing, he told people they were 'b****y good at what we do' and called on those criticising him over the price to have some confidence.

He said: "We love looking after people, we're in hospitality it's what we do. However, if you don't want to come that's also fine. There's an option not to buy that burger, there's an option not to come to the pub.

"Ricky Gervais has a sketch where he mentions in a town centre a big billboard saying 'guitar lessons £15' or whatever. Someone looks at the sign and says 'I don't want guitar lessons!'"

"It's the same with the burger. It's not for you. If you don't want it that's fine. That menu is an advert for our business, take a look, it is up there for your perusal and social media is a great place to voice your opinions, but you don't always have to."

One person pointed out it was silly for people to 'complain about the price of something they're never gonna buy', while another said after hearing the explanation they 'really want to try this burger now'.

Others pointed out that buying a burger meal from some fast food joints would cost you almost as much for what was likely to be a far less pleasant dining experience.

Another quipped that they were going to head into a Land Rover dealership and tell them they should drop their prices to compete with the Vauxhall garage down the road.

Meanwhile, someone else said it was simply 'where hospitality is right now' as the cost of everything was going up and places had to charge prices they could afford to do business at.