What an absolute debacle. I actually went up around five minutes before half time, and there was already a queue of around 20 formed at the drinks bar (near gangway 2). As the half time whistle went, it just turned into a free for all, and the women behind the counter were really struggling to keep up. I finally got served around 15:55, but it was just ridiculous. A couple of suggestions from me. 1. Why not have the metal frames up where people are then forced to queue down? 2. Why not have 20 or so pints already pulled, pre-empting the half time rush. It's hardly premium ale they are serving, so could quite easily pump out the beer, and serve it as and when punters come.
It would seem that the task of stock ordering, staff recruitment and general organisation in the catering sector is up there with the more difficult and complexed job roles/descriptions. I sincerely never realised how difficult it is as the vast numbers of previous failing incumbents would seem to testify. I mean to run out of a 'powdered' hot drink that are in air sealed packs with a fookin use by date that's somewhere near the next millenium eve shows how tough it is. To install 4 brand new beer pumps then have 1 young lass on her own with the other 3 not in use whilst the queue is longer than our run of defeats shows the difficulties involved. It may seem petty but look at the bigger picture!!!! It's systematic of the 'keep jollying along' attitude that seems ingrained. The U21 international was the highlight. No snap, fodder, pop or ale left before kickoff when the attendance was known days before! Folk from Wolves, Port Vale etc asking if there were anymore snack kiosks coz they'd travelled up straight from work so we're going to eat at the match. Me Juddy G and out lads were looking at spending £30-40 on ale n then food/drinks for the kids but spent £0.00! They've all week sometimes 2 to gear up to what's effectively a 2 hour selling Window with a prime 20-30 minutes and they seem to fail time after time. So we've seen a change of 'gaffers' and it goes on and on. I'm not sure what the financial arrangements package is but it galls me when I hear that extra police costs are another 'Scowen or Mawson' then there's literally tens of thousands slipping thro our fingers! Someone must be paid to look at previous sales and the attendance, then realise on Sat there was a 50% increase in home fans attending. It's easy to do the maths innit? Or is it just me? We've steadily got out of the habit buying kids their £4 burger chips and £2 pop x 2 each game that was guaranteed coin for BFC coz the kids weren't guaranteed getting owt so Greggs gets the pleasure of our business now for a fraction of the £.
The club seem to fail with the catering on a regular basis As they do with appointing managers and transfer policies
Will put it on my SLO complaints / queries for next meeting. Don't go in Ponte end but is there enough room for barriers? Sunderland have a pre order coin system for half time. Buy anytime and then just give this coin in at halftime in exchange for drink. Much quicker.
I thought Mr Mansford wanted to improve the matchday experience?...... more hot air and no action?....well I never!
With our lot? Are you joking? "I ordered 3 pints but lost my tokens mate". It's been said a million times, but they should have those multi-pint machines you see at festivals, that can knock out 6 pints at once. Will never happen now like, as they just splashed out on new gear Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The queuing is a problem but I think that most people understand that there will be a queue when a lot of people want the same thing at the same time. The main problem is running out of food. As mentioned above, the U21 international was particularly ridiculous but there's hardly ever that they don't run out. I can't imagine there has been a single time when they have had loads of food left that they have had to chuck. They need to have a play at the old lemonade stand game...
Gears the brewery's... They'll not be able to 'justify' the expense of upgrading cos there isn't enough folk paying four quid a pint for cider.
Especially when the pies are most likely frozen with a years life on them or even if not will or should be bought sale or return when buying in such quantities
