A negative from yesterday .... catering, again.

Stood for over 10 mins at half time at the coffee queue at the north end of the east stand, moved about 10 yards at most then the announcer was telling us the teams were coming out for the 2nd half.
It's the same kids behind the counter every week but I'm not saying it's their fault, there may be other problems, but why, at a major sporting event is it nigh on impossible to get a drink or a bite to eat within a certain time.
We didn't wait to get served so it was a waste of time.
There are other counters but I don't know if there are similar queues. I meet up with someone so it is now habit, and pot luck if we get served.

 

Probably best to take your own refreshments in future if this is the standard.

 

we could have one hour for half time make sure everyone gets a cuppa?

 

bloody hell, we'll be there till midnight

 

easy answer more staff,ask everyone if they would pay extra 10p an item, to get say 2 more staff, they say yes and get served quicker

 

I was very surprised yesterday with the matchday experience. I thought they advertised 3 for 2 happy hour but I saw no evidence of it. No signage up or anything.

They advertised Get Worst as being there as a vendor in the east stand but I didn't see it anywhere. In fact the kiosk that usually houses the special offers had the shutters down with no explanation given.

They also advertised musicians in the east stand. Where were they? I didn't see them anywhere.

And yes the queues were horrendous because it was chronically understaffed. One of the stalls (which due to the closure of the food stand was having to do double the work) had just TWO people behind it. That's not good enough, it just isn't.

 

So basically they messed up completely with their advertising again then? They advertised all of these things as being IN the east stand concourse when in reality they were outside the stadium. Moving the singular musician from the fanzone to the concourse just before kick off doesn't really cut it either.

Playing music during the minutes silence was piss poor too. How unorganised do you have to be for that to happen?

I honestly don't understand how they manage to **** up the simple things so badly.

 

Thoroughly enjoyable game - excellent results - play-offs here we come -

Catering - am I bovvered - nah!

 

A flask an a pie from home, are 10 times nicer, and cheaper.

 

Thinking of the concourses, what does it cost the club to equip and staff all these food booths? Is it fit for purpose & profitable? Would it make more sense to only have canned and bottle drinks outlets (no draft and food in - house)? Bring in private mobile food units that are also accessible at half time for those that can't manage go without food. Yes they keep the profits, but they also have the staffing issues not the club.
I ask because I am fed up of hearing the same complaints week in week out about something that has little bearing on my match day XP. I have come to the conclusion that if we didn't provide there would be less hassle. I know most around me bring their own refreshments.

 

Of course it's profitable. The markup on what they sell is crazy

 

*

 

But would it be with appropriate staffing levels?

 

Definitely. If they can't make it profitable then they are doing something massively wronf

 

The issue at half time is so simple to fix.
All it’s needs is a kiosk open before KO that takes orders and money for half time orders and then people just collect their order, minimal queuing as people aren’t talking. An App would be the modern way but it doesn’t even need that.

 

They sell warm drinks at 2.20 and 500ml pop at an even more ridiculous 2.60. Catering is very profitable. The warm drinks must be about 20 pence each at wholesale. The pop won't be much more either as it's only bottles you can buy at Home Bargains for about 80 pence.

 

Bottle of coke will probably cost them somewhere between 60 and 75p per bottle. Hot drinks maybe 40-50p plus water and heating costs.

 

Definitely a guitarist/singer with amp n mike. in the east lower side of gangway 3. Kiosk side Quite loud. Dont know what time he got up.

 

I'd say those prices are par for the course at most grounds. Like others say if you dont like the prices for hot drinks or food. Take yer own. No queuing at all. We do. Service isn't the best I'll give yer that. But prices you can avoid.
Flask hot watter. Bovril cups, Serves 7 on us . Percies. jobs a good un.