Seaside café hits back after facing criticism for £4 toast

A seaside café bar and restaurant in Port Talbot has responded to a wave of criticism they received after increasing their prices. Remo's near Aberavon Beach in the town has been serving customers for nearly 20 years.

On Friday, May 3, the independent business introduced their brand new menu on their social media platform. However, the announcement was met with a torrent of negative comments, with people shocked by the increased costs, including £4 for two slices of toast.

Some described the increase as "ridiculous" and "mad", while others pointed out it was "pretty much standard prices for anywhere now". In light of the backlash, the manager of Remo's, Tony Difrancesco, has explained the cafe's decision to raise its prices.

READ MORE: Another Cardiff café is closing as owner slams 'shambles' and 'ever-increasing costs'

LATEST: The Welsh street that sums up everything happening to pubs and restaurants right now

In his response, Mr Difrancesco said that managing the café, which employs over 50 staff members, was "both expensive and extremely difficult" during the current financial climate, and that there was a "very fine line between making a loss and turning a profit". Recent months have seen independent businesses closing across Wales, many of which blaming increased energy bills and lack of government support amid the cost of living crisis as reasons behind their closures. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news, sign up to our newsletter here.

Like many other businesses, Mr Difrancesco explained that Remo's had recently seen their expenses increase due to several reasons. He said: "We never want to increase prices if we don't have to, but running a café is both expensive and extremely difficult in today's climate.

"There is a very fine line between making a loss and turning a profit. We have recently seen the largest increase in cost of energy, huge increases in the cost of food, equipment, and ingredients, and this year; the largest single increase in wages there ever has been in the UK.

"This April saw a 10% wage increase for over 21s, 15% increase for 18 year olds, 20% increase for 16 and 17yr olds, and the removal of the 24 and over wage bracket, increasing the amount of staff on the payroll receiving maximum pay. In a business where approximately 40% of turnover is used to pay for our 50-plus staff members, it follows that we have to increase prices accordingly or face making a loss."

Mr Difrancesco went on to defend the decision to increase prices, stating that the business had a lot to offer thanks to its surroundings and quality of food. He said: "The building of Remo's was never a plan to make us all rich, it was always meant to be a place to be proud of, where people can come and enjoy the views over Aberavon Beach, and taste the passion that we put into our homemade ice cream, our Italian coffees, and the lovely meals that our talented chefs work very hard to produce.

"It is indeed £4 for two slices of toast (£2 for one); but we serve only hand cut doorstep slices of fresh bread from a local bakery that have been toasted and buttered only with real salted butter, and delivered to you by one of our extremely lovely staff members. This toast can be enjoyed while admiring the beautiful Aberavon beach. We definitely could cut costs if we wanted, but we would have to cut quality, and that is something that Remo and his family are all unwilling to do."