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'We ran out of Guinness' - The Open fever hits Portrush

Maria McCann and Jake Liggett
BBC News NI
BBC A man is serving food in a kitchen. There are two plates of food on a black counter. The man is wearing a black shirt and apron. There are large black lights hanging down. The background is of kitchen apparatus. BBC
The Marcus Hotel Portrush has seen business benefits from The Open

How do you keep 280,000 visitors fed and watered?

That's the challenge faced by hospitality businesses in Portrush this week, as The Open is in town.

Thirsty golf spectators have been thronging the town after the day's sporting action is done - and one pub has already run out of Guinness.

Adrian Calvin, general manager of The Quays, said he doubled the pub's Guinness order in preparation for the tournament, but after four practice days and one tournament day, there wasn't a drop of the black stuff left to be had.

They will need an extra delivery on Friday to see them through the weekend.

Adrian Calvin is wearing a navy polo top. He has black glasses on. He is standing in front of a wooden shed with its doors open. There is another man standing at the entrance. There is a green golf sign above the door.
Adrian Calvin is the general manager at The Quays in Portrush

Mr Calvin said his pub had been busy from mid-morning until late at night all week.

"It's great to see that night time trade back which is something we haven't had in a long time," he said.

"It's been far busier than I thought it was going to be."

He said the upturn in business started in February, with lots of people travelling from all over the world to play the course which is hosting The Open.

Danny Coyles is wearing a black shirt. He has grey facial hair. The background is blurry with a crowd of people.
Danny Coyles says his bar might get through a month's stock in a week

Danny Coyles, general manager of The Station bar said the week had been fantastic so far.

"We've been busy from we've opened the doors at 11:30 right through," he said.

"We're looking forward to three more busy days".

"The atmosphere has been amazing, the visitors have been fantastic and really lovely to host."

Mr Coyles said the bar bought in a month's stock for the week.

"We probably need every bit of it" he said.

"It's the whole package really, the scenery is amazing, the golf has been fantastic, the atmosphere in all of the bars is good and the entertainment has been good as well.

"This is a beautiful part of the world…I think the tourism thing will grow exponentially after this and we're certainly ready for it."

Traders had hoped to see the benefits of a change in policy at The Open compared to when Royal Portrush last hosted the event in 2019.

On that occasion spectators could not return to the course once they had left it.

This time, fans who get a wristband are free to come and go.

Heather Stewart has blonde hair to below her shoulders. She is wearing a navy jacket with a patter. She is also wearing a small chain with the letter H on it. The background is a green panelled wall with two gold lights and wooden frames hanging.
Heather Stewart is general manager at The Marcus Portrush

Heather Stewart, general manager at The Marcus Portrush, said the atmosphere in Portrush has been "electric".

She said guests numbers had been increasing day on day since Sunday.

"We are hoping to keep on that upward trajectory," she said.

Ms Stewart said The Marchs was already seeing long term benefits from The Open.

"People who came in for dinner on Monday have rang back to try and book in for Saturday and Sunday," she said.

"We've had guests in the bar who have been in every single day."

Two men are standing in a bar. The man on the left is wearing a white cap, navy polo and blue jacket, he has a pair of sunglasses hanging from his shirt. The man on the right is wearing a black cap and a red and grey polo. Behind them is a bar with a large screen. It has golf on it.
Nicholas Morgan (left) and Collis Parrish are visiting from Texas

Nicholas Morgan and Collis Parrish flew in from Texas in the United States for the golf tournament.

"Everybody is like your best friend," Mr Morgan said.

"You walk into the bars and it's like you've known them your whole life".

They are staying in Belfast and taking the train to the north coast, he said the prices had been "very reasonable" across the board for them.

Mr Parrish said the pair were trying to play golf while visiting despite having no clubs and that people they met on the course "went out of their way" to get them clubs so they could play.

He said he had found prices "very affordable".

"We haven't seen anything out of the ordinary compared to what we pay at home for similar services," he said.

A group of five men have their arms around each others shoulders. There are three at the front and two at the back. The background is a busy bar with loads of people.
Visitors to The Open from Newcastle upon Tyne

Another group of golf fans told BBC News NI they travelled from Newcastle in England to watch The Open.

It is their first time visiting the area and they said there had been a "buzz" since they arrived.

The environment has been "completely inclusive", they added.

"There's been a real blend of people, we've been speaking to someone from Chicago, from England someone from Spain."

They are hoping to see Rory McIlroy walk off with the claret jug on Sunday evening.