Catering response to Grimsby Complaints

Hi



Following the complaints received following Saturday’s Grimsby game, I would like to thank Barry Bradshaw and the Catering staff at Bristol Rovers for kindly doing all they can to rectify any problems I regret you may have had on the day. I can confirm the following:



1. Service in the Bars

We had the usual number of staff per bar as we have always had in the past. However, we could not anticipate the fantastic increase in attendance which naturally put pressure on the bars. Wherever possible on the day, we brought in additional staff to help reduce queues For the next home game we will ensure we increase the normal staffing levels in order to alleviate any further problems.

2. Happy Hour

The ‘Happy Hour’ promotion only ran prior to the game. However, it did in fact run All bars(including the Executive Lounge). We take on board the Fans disappointment that the promotion didn’t continue following the game and will discuss this with Toni and Ian on their return from annual holiday on Monday.



We also take note of the comments about posters not being clear enough or placed in inappropriate positions and will ensure this is improved for future games.



We are not aware of any ‘4 pints for £10’ posters being in situ as these were all removed along with the Jug Bars at the end of the Rugby season.

3. Cider

We are confused by the comment that Butcombe stock ran out at 12:30 as we still have stock of beers and ciders today. We can only imagine that the member of bar staff serving may have said “we’ve ran out” as a barrel was being changed.

4. Food

Due to the level of crowd attendance we did in fact sell out of certain stock lines in the Kiosks and will do our best to improve this for future games within the limits of our stock holding.



We accept there was a problem with the deep fat fryer in the Social Club Kitchen resulting in complaints about inedible chips. As soon as this was notified to the catering managers the problem was resolved and we can assure you it will not happen again. As is our policy, any people who complained on the day were given a full refund and apology.



5. Scoreboard/Microphone

These technical problems are currently being looked at and will be resolved by the next game.

In summary, Saturday was a very busy game. Where we anticipated a crowd of between 5/5,500 people, in fact 7,000 fans turned out which naturally put additional pressure on all areas. On the whole, we felt the first home game of the season went extremely well, supported by a great crowd of loyal supporters.

We will always listen to constructive criticism and strive to make improvements as necessary. We hope the above will be accepted as a fair response.



6. I shall continue to follow-up the post match Happy Hour. Steve I can tell you that the club introduced Chicken mushroom and vegitable pasties, but I have asked that some chicken and mushroom pies are made available for you and others - check with catering in the Bristol Room. I have also asked about food prices - these have now been reviewed and I hope you find there will be new family and children offers and lower prices - club doing all they can to help including ensuring more pasties.

Best wishes

Bri

 

Thanks for this info Bri.

Its obviously important when the club stays in contact with its fans especially where there is a lot of negativity aimed at the club right now since our relegation.

Think you will win a lot of fans back if the club can be completely transparent. The club has been in freefall since Trollope was sacked and signs were looking bad before his sacking. That was years ago and fans have stuck with the club throughout these very poor years.

The fans deserve so much better. I have been impressed with some things that the club have done since our relegation but I still dont think enough has been done. The fans are teh clubs bread and butter and even better offers for the fans and more often should be rewarded to us.

Higgs has said we will be debt free when we move to UWE. That "when" is more like an "IF" and I was positive about getting the new stadium but not so now. Obviously we dont know everything that is going on behind the scenes about UWE but I hope the club and confirm more info to the fans because we are desperate to get some kind of good news. IF Higgs is 100% positive we will have UWE and still will be debt free then the club should be doing a hell of a lot more to get fans back and doing even more to keep them coming too. if this means putting stupid offers where we are losing money then so be it because in the long run we will be better off financially when debt free at UWE and if we treat our fans like royalty now, imagine the numbers we will consistantly get at UWE??

In conclusion, like a school report, since our relegation, I would say the board has shown slight improvements but must do better. Lacks concentration (understanding on what the fans want - like cheaper season ticket prices for non league not the same price as football league) and communication skills average at best. Still its an improvement from last season and an improvement is a positive. Just needs to step up more gears and put the fans 1st.

Thanks again Brian. Keep your chin up and keep going. Good luck with your campaign to remain fans director. You have my backing.

 

I couldn't give a toss about the catering.

I'm more concerned with the indigestible crap served up on the pitch against part-time opposition.

Total disgrace.

 

Well said everything should be free for the rest of the season I'm not paying £18 to watch that ****e I wont even pay tenner