1901 falmer tour today

[Herr Tubthumper]

A couple of my mates went on the 1901 tour yesterday, and were quite disconcerted by it. "I knew it was corporate seating but I didn't know it was THAT corporate." Being offered a curry for £25 per head topped the day, apparently - "why would I eat a £25 curry in the stadium when I can come back to Brighton and get one for six or seven quid?" I get the impression they wouldn't have signed up if they'd known what it was going to be like.

There's going to be a bit of a culture clash between the "prawn sandwiches" (genuine corporates) and the "meat pies" (normal fans who had a few bob saved up and want to celebrate the new stadium and help the club out).

I also reckon the no replica kit rule will be damn near unenforceable. Everyone I know that's 1901 has said they're going to wear the stripes no matter what. What are BHAFC going to do, particularly with regard to the opening games? Have a stock of 1,000+ white shirts to give people to put over their Albion tops (like how posh casinos keep a stock of black ties on reception)? Or open up a mini club shop by the 1901 entrance, selling whatever Albion clothes ARE acceptable wear? Maybe that's been the plan all along. Upselling genius.

What, personally, do you mean by a "genuine corporate"?

 

[The Grockle]

And that was a buffet "eat as much as you can" a bottle of Tiger included, half time pie included and teas, coffees, cakes after the game.

Seems very reasonable to me, especially given you get a free drink and can eat as much as you like. I think anyone who grumbles at those prices was a bit foolish for choosing the most expensive seats in the house IMO.

 

[Uwinsc]

And that was a buffet "eat as much as you can" a bottle of Tiger included, half time pie included and teas, coffees, cakes after the game.

Did not think it was that bad.

An eat as much as you like curry then a pie! you lot wont fit in your seats!!

 

[Notters]

I do not agree with this. The way the club have marketed the 1901 Club, and more importantly the way they have priced it, suggests they they are not looking for an 'elite' membership or a corporate image. This is born out by the high number of regular supporters who have joined.

I think your view is more to do with your deluded idea of your position and status in life, and what you would like to believe you have joined. You are the only person who is making a song and a dance about their 1901 membership....and it's getting a bit embarrassing for the rest of us.

A couple of my mates went on the 1901 tour yesterday, and were quite disconcerted by it. "I knew it was corporate seating but I didn't know it was THAT corporate." Being offered a curry for £25 per head topped the day, apparently - "why would I eat a £25 curry in the stadium when I can come back to Brighton and get one for six or seven quid?" I get the impression they wouldn't have signed up if they'd known what it was going to be like.

There's going to be a bit of a culture clash between the "prawn sandwiches" (genuine corporates) and the "meat pies" (normal fans who had a few bob saved up and want to celebrate the new stadium and help the club out).

I also reckon the no replica kit rule will be damn near unenforceable. Everyone I know that's 1901 has said they're going to wear the stripes no matter what. What are BHAFC going to do, particularly with regard to the opening games? Have a stock of 1,000+ white shirts to give people to put over their Albion tops (like how posh casinos keep a stock of black ties on reception)? Or open up a mini club shop by the 1901 entrance, selling whatever Albion clothes ARE acceptable wear? Maybe that's been the plan all along. Upselling genius.

The 1901 club has always been very much marketed at business people (see Brighton and Hove Albion | Tickets | 1901 Club | 1901 Club ), but fair play to regular fans who have the money to splash out on it. I've always been a bit concerned, though, that if most people in the 1901 club don't use the restaurant each week, the club is likely to lose money in these areas and large chunks of the stadium's space will be wasted.

 

[Eggman]

An eat as much as you like curry then a pie! you lot wont fit in your seats!!

Innit. AND cakes.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

A couple of my mates went on the 1901 tour yesterday, and were quite disconcerted by it. "I knew it was corporate seating but I didn't know it was THAT corporate." Being offered a curry for £25 per head topped the day, apparently - "why would I eat a £25 curry in the stadium when I can come back to Brighton and get one for six or seven quid?" I get the impression they wouldn't have signed up if they'd known what it was going to be like

Probably they are in the wrong place then. I believe there is a waiting list of people willing to buy their memberships. They might even make a small profit.

 

[clippedgull]

The 1901 club has always been very much marketed at business people (see Brighton and Hove Albion | Tickets | 1901 Club | 1901 Club ), but fair play to regular fans who have the money to splash out on it. I've always been a bit concerned, though, that if most people in the 1901 club don't use the restaurant each week, the club is likely to lose money in these areas and large chunks of the stadium's space will be wasted.

Supply and demand. If the club are finding people that are not on expenses are not utilising the dining, then prices will have to be reduced until they have full covers.

 

[Notters]

I do not agree with this. The way the club have marketed the 1901 Club, and more importantly the way they have priced it, suggests they they are not looking for an 'elite' membership or a corporate image. This is born out by the high number of regular supporters who have joined.

I think your view is more to do with your deluded idea of your position and status in life, and what you would like to believe you have joined. You are the only person who is making a song and a dance about their 1901 membership....and it's getting a bit embarrassing for the rest of us.

Supply and demand. If the club are finding people that are not on expenses are not utilising the dining, then prices will have to be reduced until they have full covers.

Or they replace one of the restaurants with a bigger fans bar that would be full every match

 

[clippedgull]

Or they replace one of the restaurants with a bigger fans bar that would be full every match

 

[northstandsteve]

Plenty were signing up and paying yesterday, either 1 match, 6 matches or trhe full season for £720.
Buffet £34 3 course £38

 

[Chicken Runner61]

I thought the £25 for a curry a beer and a pie was a bit steep. Its only another £13 for a 3 course meal on normal match days.

£20 tops £15 without the pie

What happens if you wear a blue and white striped cotten shirt then?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

The 1901 club has always been very much marketed at business people (see Brighton and Hove Albion | Tickets | 1901 Club | 1901 Club ), but fair play to regular fans who have the money to splash out on it. I've always been a bit concerned, though, that if most people in the 1901 club don't use the restaurant each week, the club is likely to lose money in these areas and large chunks of the stadium's space will be wasted.

Well, you have got me there. I had never looked at that page on the official website which explains the 1901 Club. It clearly mentions corporate entertainment. It does go against other stuff I have read or heard though. I am sure Martin Perry has mentioned that the club's marketing department prefer the term 'premium seats' in preference to 'corporate.' And you mention it 'has always been very much marketed at business people'. After existing business contacts, sponsors etc were dealt with there was a huge drive to sell the 1901 to rank and file supporters.

If it was 'very much marketed' at business people then the club have failed significantly as I, and many others, do not believe the 1901 demographic reflects this.

 

[Superphil]

From what I have heard, the food at the Amex is very, very good. If a restaurant is that good, then the prices generally reflect it. £25 for an all-in curry, beer, half time pie and a cuppa tea, it it's that good, might not be so over the top.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I've always been a bit concerned, though, that if most people in the 1901 club don't use the restaurant each week, the club is likely to lose money in these areas and large chunks of the stadium's space will be wasted.

The 'restaurant' area (or lounge to use its correct name) is mixed-use and flexible. It can be configured specifically to whatever the demand is on a match day. In Dodge's speech yesterday he said the club typically expect 30% of 1901 Platinum members to take up the restaurant option. The rest of the area will be configured for drinks and bar food.

The restaurant has to be booked before the game, so the staff will know exactly how many diners they will have on any given day and configure the lounge accordingly. If anything this flexibility will maximise income as oppose to waste space.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

From what I have heard, the food at the Amex is very, very good. If a restaurant is that good, then the prices generally reflect it. £25 for an all-in curry, beer, half time pie and a cuppa tea, it it's that good, might not be so over the top.

Given it's a buffet, and if you think in a certain way, all you need to do is make sure you have got at least £26 worth of food in your stomach and you're a winner!

 

[northstandsteve]

get 4 forks and split with your mates ...

 

[trueblue]

At £25 the curry deal didn't sound too bad. £30+ is pushing it for what I'd want to spend more than once or twice a season.

My only real problem is that actually the amount of times I'd want to sit down for a full 3 course meal is pretty rare, not through price but because I don't even tend to do that in restaurants.

So I'm hoping there will still be the option to simply buy a pie and a pint. I don't think I'll be the only one either.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

At £25 the curry deal didn't sound too bad. £30+ is pushing it for what I'd want to spend more than once or twice a season.

My only real problem is that actually the amount of times I'd want to sit down for a full 3 course meal is pretty rare, not through price but because I don't even tend to do that in restaurants.

So I'm hoping there will still be the option to simply buy a pie and a pint. I don't think I'll be the only one either.

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. Id be surprised if you couldn't buy a pie and pint, or some other snack though. Maybe you should give Azure a call. Their number is on the bottom of the curry email.

 

[stonski]

I asked about dresscode. "At this stage" football shirts are not allowed to be worn in the lounges, but ARE allowed to be worn in the seats.
I get the feeling the strength of feeling from members will soon change this to allow them in the lounges too though.

I'll be wearing mine in the lounge, not been told otherwise.

 

[empire]

Loving that comment Tim!

Better than 1901, an atmosphere and a third of the price. Marvellous scenes!!

yep wellhappy with that too,just as good view from where we will be but like you say,better atmos and so much cheaper