The clubs catering department keeps coming up with statements,that things will get better when this is finished etc etc Nothing does or ever will change. So here goes,these are not my ideas,they are other people ideas so let me know what you think Firstly some people say why do buy food and drink at a football match Can't you eat before you to the ground The above does NOT apply to away fans If any one has never rushed to a City Home game after finishing work,they are a liar. Dolman would you accept pints being pulled in advance and available on the counter when the first half finishes? Paid in advance with a cloakroom type sort of ticket?no ticket,no drink. When should THEY start pulling the pints five,ten.fifteen minutes before the end of first half. Not being a beer drinker,I don't know long the beer/cider remains "gassey" Could crisps and choccy bars be put in a vending machine as well as bottles of coke,or better still "on draught" you put your money(or credit card?) in and you get a quantity of liquid Tea and coffee could be implemented in a similar way. Thanks for any input
they could use heated trolleys for pies and pasties at half time vending machines sound a good idea but could imagine them being looted destroyed!
The main issue is that there isn't enough food stalls and kiosks to meet demand. Particularly in the dolman now half of it is shut. I'm not a tea drinker but my dad says that he refuses to buy their tea because it is so poor. In a way the lack of facilities plus the general ineptness of the catering are the issues that need to be solved.
I normally drink proper beer, although on a weeks break with the grand kids the camp site entertainment hall had worthy, the only beer came to top of glass and settled in about 2 mins pretty much a full pint! Kids and slot machines took 20 mins and on return the beer was still very drinkable, so I would suggest start pulling around 15 mins and make sure you are about 10th in the que! You could only do it with tickets, as serving so quick it would take longer to till the money
There is no excuse for any of this rubbish in an industry that rewards mediocity in a lot of its players with millionaire / superstar status. Clubs that get food, drink and general hospitality right are the winners for me. The first time I went to Reading after their move from Elm Park (and we won 3-1!) the varied and plentiful food and drink stalls in the concourse of the stand were a revelation
I was gagging for a drink after rushing to get to the game from Cardiff, only to find that a bottle of Fanta was £2.60p in the Atyeo, needless to say I went thirtsy, there's making a profit and there's ripping off loyal fans (away fans being the most loyal) . So I tend to eat and drink before I go to the game (When I can). Would reasonable pricing equal more sales? are the food/drink vendors franchised?
Catering is quite difficult, especially for football fans. However, a city with decent local restaurants should be able to do this right.
been in catering for over 40 years, and the entire football stadium scenario is a nightmare, with intolerable levels of wastage- heated pies, pasties etc, unsold and binned- hence the huge markup.and where else do you get a situation, where maybe 10,000 people, want to leave their seat,go for a pee then something to eat and drink,all in 20 mins, it aint gonna happen.
Got to admit catering at most football grounds is poor. Rovers do a great deal at the end of the game though, all of the left over pasties, sausage rolls etc.. get sold off at the exit gate for £1 no queing a quick quid in there money pouch and off you go its brilliant. Doubt they make much money doing it but its a great way to please fans instead of chucking it away.
If I do feel the need to get a bite to eat, I always use the Clarks pie stall outside the ground, a pasty is £1.80 something like that and there lovely..
As said in a previous post,the food and catering are shocking in the dolman stand,,every week the food is bloody cold. They want top dollor,the very least we expect is decent food.
The catering will change dramatically in the next few seasons. Expect everything you know to alter. Bristol Sport are looking at themes for each stand. The South Stand is "Heritage", The new Williams is "Corporate", and the Dolman "Market place" where alternative services will replace those that exist now.
how about the happy days in div 1 (old div 1!) when a grumpy bloke pushed his trolley around the side of the pitch selling hot dogs? We were never wealthy enough to buy one but they smelt good and had to eat the sandwiches my mum had made. #happydays
These are marketing themes and facilities will be based upon demographics and their spending. Stand names will remain the same, unless sponsors can be found, although BS have an idea of using projections of the matchday sponsors colours across stands e.g BT. The South stand will also house the BS sports bar which will service much of the stadium. Fans will be able to walk around the concourse to access food outlets.
