The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Traders could suffer over Open policy
A decision not to allow readmissions when one of the world’s biggest sporting events comes to Angus next year could see local businesses suffer.
A “no readmissions” policy was introduced at this year’s Open at Royal Birkdale and Angus Council has raised the issue with the R&A after concerns businesses in Carnoustie would suffer if the policy was retained for next year’s event in the town.
The R&A said the admissions policy has been “reviewed and updated” after being assessed and fans “will not be permitted to reenter the venue after leaving Carnoustie”.
It previously said the policy proved an effective deterrent to unofficial operators and those mis-selling hospitality and was well received by more than 235,000 spectators who attended the event at Royal Birkdale.
David Valentine, who owns Simpsons of Carnoustie golf shop, has been scathing about the policy, saying businesses in the town will suffer.
Mr Valentine, who chaired the group responsible for staging the last Open at Carnoustie in 2007, said: “Most people believe their aim is to corral paying guests, so their only option is to buy the on-course merchandise, food and drink.
“Traders in the High Street will most definitely suffer and the traditional carnival atmosphere of the Open will be sadly diminished.
“I’m a great supporter of the Open at Carnoustie but the R&A should treat the town and trade of Carnoustie with a lot more respect.”
And he is scathing of the R&A’s explanation of mis-selling of hospitality.
“I was privileged to chair the group responsible for staging the last Open in 2007,” he said.
“We didn’t suffer from fraudulent mis-selling of hospitality packages then and most people know there is no need to fear from it in 2018.”
A spokesman for the R&A said: “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and will generate tens of millions of pounds of economic benefit for the Carnoustie region.
“We have received numerous complaints from businesses who have been the victims of mis-selling by unofficial providers of tickets and hospitality packages and we have a responsibility to our spectators to take measures to prevent these practices.”