1901 Invitation to breakfast - what do you make of it?

[Deano's Invisible Pants]

Makes total sense to me too. You end up with about 100 people standing and watching about six people eat, those six people are sat in a quarter of the space! It's weird.

I think it also refelcts the fan base of Gold much better. There is generally a lot of fans who just wanted a better view as opposed to the hospitality I think, and therefore a bar and a few snacks serves them better than the dining options that were hardly ever taken up.

Agreed - it should work much better. However, if you're a Gold Member and want to dine, are you allowed to go the bigger lounges to do so, or has the sit-down dining option been totally withdrawn from Gold members?

 

[Superphil]

Agreed - it should work much better. However, if you're a Gold Member and want to dine, are you allowed to go the bigger lounges to do so, or has the sit-down dining option been totally withdrawn from Gold members?

From what I can gather form the comments here, they are considering making some of the Gold Lounges just for eating, and those who want to just chat and drink use the other Gold Lounges, there are currnetly 6 Gold Lounges in total. I don't read into what's been said that the Profile, BUPA or East Stand Platinum Lounges are to be used by Gold Members. That said, this is all in discussion, that was the point of this mornings meeting, nothing has been decided, and I don't imagine anything will (or can) be withdrawn, just a bit of reorganisation.

 

[Worthingite]

All the price increases were decided before Barber joined the club, so he had nothing to do with that, he wasn't involved. The only thing regarding the recent prices changes he was involved with was dealing with the accidental increase of the pie and pint deal, which he had reduced (it was of course a human error).

As for charging for mascots, other clubs charge, why not us? It will have been sanctioned by the board, so whether Barber made this decision or not, the rest of the board will have approved it. As for when he started, if you listen to his interview, you'll understand he wasn't involved in any way for "several weeks or months" before he started.

Again, if you listen to his interview he makes it all very clear what the club has to do in order to reach its goals, and how he, and the board, will achieve that without "selling out".

As for not catering for fans, really? You think that? We have one of the best stadiums in the country (and the World), it has the best stadium facilities I have ever experienced. It was built for us. We have the option to eat and drink good quality products, rather than the shite most football clubs foist upon their fans. Season ticket holders get superb value, and a ground breaking, interest free DD payment system. The fans can arrive early and stay after games and mingle with friends and away fans alike. The club subsidises public transport and park and ride. Oh, and the seats are padded. Show me a comparable football club that caters more for fans than the Albion.

I guess if you hanker after League One, 5000 crowds, The Johnstone Paint Trophy and Scunthorpe on a Tuesday night, then perhaps the Albion isn't for you. Before Archer, and ever since DK and MP took over this club, the aim has been high, the aim has been to get the Albion to the top flight, which is why Falmer was built, which is why TB took over. Dick Knight could have settled for trying to redevelop Withdean, could have built Falmer stand by stand over 10 years, we could have become perennial under achievers, occasionally in the Championship, with a 10K capacity ground and no real ambition.

OK, I’ll give you charging for mascots, seems a shame, but surely that can’t be a reason for garnering such a vehement dislike for someone who has hardly got his feet under the table, but has in fact reduced prices once already, and has called a meeting to discuss issues directly with the [1901 Gold] fans.

Actually you've raised some cracking points there. I guess sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are. I was in a real moaning mood yesterday, coming on here was a bit of a mistake!! I probably came across like a bit of a spoilt child in fairness!!! Now the red fog has lifted, I can see the good in things. We DO have a quality stadium, and a board that listens when things go wrong, and they have got far more right than they have wrong. Just in a moany selfish mood yesterday, ignore it!!!!

 

[The Large One]

Actually you've raised some cracking points there. I guess sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are. I was in a real moaning mood yesterday, coming on here was a bit of a mistake!! I probably came across like a bit of a spoilt child in fairness!!! Now the red fog has lifted, I can see the good in things. We DO have a quality stadium, and a board that listens when things go wrong, and they have got far more right than they have wrong. Just in a moany selfish mood yesterday, ignore it!!!!

Next week, Superphil heals the sick by turning water into Tuaca.

 

[Worthingite]

Next week, Superphil heals the sick by turning water into Tuaca.

f***ing awesome. I love Tuaca

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Platinum costs £100 pcm, Gold is £75 pcm (ex VAT). Originally the Platinum were to have full three course meal options, the Gold were to have buffet options. The buffets were dropped last season due to them being rubbish I understand, and no-one taking them up. I think they now endevour to offer the same or similar to the Platinum Lounges.

On a point of pedantry platinum is £99 and £125 exc VAT per month. There are two levels but both use the Profile Lounge.

 

[BobbySmith]

Good points, I sometimes have a little moan now and again, but all in all, the 1901 Club is superb, nice seats, great View, Bob Booker entertaining you, food ok, when I have eaten (only 3 times), but it was as good as any other sporting event hospitality i have been to and better than a lot. If we want to move on as a club, then I think we need the Paul Barbers of the world at the helm, he seemed a switched on guy and very customer facing. I think the main point of his chat today is that mistakes have been made, but they will listen and make changes where appropriate, also a good point which was raised and touched on here, was that the Brighton 1901 members are not typical of other sporting 'Executive Club' people as the majority are 'fans' who just want a good seat and facilities and not just here for the prawn sarnies, so changes need to be made as more people just want a drink and maybe snack food, more than a 5 course meal. So sometimes when us 1901's get some stick, please remember, we are not normal....if you know what I mean. Also a quick mention of Dodge (Paul Rogers), great guy who is Brighton through and through and he listens to the fans, he also called me the other week reagarding a a simple matter, but thought it was better to talk and not just email.

 

[hillianseagull]

I went this morning, but this will explain the changes:Hospitality Dining Announcement

After the first season at the Amex and the feedback from our Gold members we have made changes to the dining experience within the Gold lounges.

As you may be aware the club held a presentation this morning for all 1901 Club Gold members to outline our vision to improve the matchday dining experience. All dining for Gold members will now take place in the Mezzanine Gold lounges and will not be available in Becks Peugeot, Lifestyle Renault and Chandlers BMW MINI Lounge. Although dining will now only be in the Mezzanine Gold Lounges, all Gold members have the opportunity to book a dining package.

Those members who were able to attend this morning's presentation agreed that changes were necessary and allocating two dedicated restaurants would improve standards and service.

All other Gold lounges will continue to offer matchday snacks and bar service which will enable us to encourage a supporters bar atmosphere pre and post-match.

To celebrate this record-breaking evening and the re-launch of our dining experience, ensure you don't miss a minute of the fantastic matchday atmosphere by upgrading to our dining package. Please see details below of how to upgrade your 1901 Club matchday experience.

Gold package includes:
•NEW unlimited hot and cold buffet (Click here to view menu)
•Half-time tea and coffee
•Full-time pies with tea and coffee
Price: £38 (inc VAT) per person


Club e mail

 

[Superphil]

Actually you've raised some cracking points there. I guess sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are. I was in a real moaning mood yesterday, coming on here was a bit of a mistake!! I probably came across like a bit of a spoilt child in fairness!!! Now the red fog has lifted, I can see the good in things. We DO have a quality stadium, and a board that listens when things go wrong, and they have got far more right than they have wrong. Just in a moany selfish mood yesterday, ignore it!!!!

No worries, I was like that when Hammond was announced as coming back.

Next week, Superphil heals the sick by turning water into Tuaca.

He he, I tried, but I can't heal me from my adversion to Dean Hammond. Still, WTF is tucaca?

 

[Superphil]

On a point of pedantry platinum is £99 and £125 exc VAT per month. There are two levels but both use the Profile Lounge.

What does the extra £26 get you?

 

[honey boy zimba]

thats all very well but Azure need to up their game or its all a bit pointless.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

What does the extra £26 get you?

A seat in one of the three rows immediately behind the director's box.

 

[Superphil]

thats all very well but Azure need to up their game or its all a bit pointless.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I went this AM. Presentation was ok and what they are planning makes sense. Prior to the meeting asked Paul Rodgers re the level of notice of the meeting, he accepted it wasn't ideal, but a number of concerns had been raised that needed to be responded to immediately. Basically, the content was as reported already. I'm fully supportive of more furniture and additional retail food options in the Becks Peugeot lounge.

Obviously they highlighted the desire to increase revenue and hopefully they'll succeed.

 

[Superphil]

Just had a similar invitation sent to 1901 Platinum members:

"After receiving feedback from a number of Platinum 1901 Club members throughout the first 12 months at the stadium, the club will be hosting a presentation to outline our vision to improve the 1901 Club matchday dining experience moving forward.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday 19th September from 8.30am until 9.30am in the Bupa Lounge. Whilst we appreciate this is short notice, we are keen for our members to experience the improvements at the earliest opportunity.

The presentation will be hosted by Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber and 1901 Club staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. "

 

[Safeway]

All the price increases were decided before Barber joined the club, so he had nothing to do with that, he wasn't involved. The only thing regarding the recent prices changes he was involved with was dealing with the accidental increase of the pie and pint deal, which he had reduced (it was of course a human error).

As for charging for mascots, other clubs charge, why not us? It will have been sanctioned by the board, so whether Barber made this decision or not, the rest of the board will have approved it. As for when he started, if you listen to his interview, you'll understand he wasn't involved in any way for "several weeks or months" before he started.

Again, if you listen to his interview he makes it all very clear what the club has to do in order to reach its goals, and how he, and the board, will achieve that without "selling out".

As for not catering for fans, really? You think that? We have one of the best stadiums in the country (and the World), it has the best stadium facilities I have ever experienced. It was built for us. We have the option to eat and drink good quality products, rather than the shite most football clubs foist upon their fans. Season ticket holders get superb value, and a ground breaking, interest free DD payment system. The fans can arrive early and stay after games and mingle with friends and away fans alike. The club subsidises public transport and park and ride. Oh, and the seats are padded. Show me a comparable football club that caters more for fans than the Albion.

I guess if you hanker after League One, 5000 crowds, The Johnstone Paint Trophy and Scunthorpe on a Tuesday night, then perhaps the Albion isn't for you. Before Archer, and ever since DK and MP took over this club, the aim has been high, the aim has been to get the Albion to the top flight, which is why Falmer was built, which is why TB took over. Dick Knight could have settled for trying to redevelop Withdean, could have built Falmer stand by stand over 10 years, we could have become perennial under achievers, occasionally in the Championship, with a 10K capacity ground and no real ambition.

OK, I’ll give you charging for mascots, seems a shame, but surely that can’t be a reason for garnering such a vehement dislike for someone who has hardly got his feet under the table, but has in fact reduced prices once already, and has called a meeting to discuss issues directly with the [1901 Gold] fans.

Bloody brilliant post.

All this Barber-bashing is ridiculous. If people want us to reach the top (granted, there are some that would rather us still be at Withdean, playing Bury in front of 5,000 fans), then as well as making money from transfers we need to maximise all possible marketing avenues. Barber has a proven track record of doing this, but it's definitely not the big sell-out that some are making it out to be. £28 is not over the top for Championship football, £4 a pint is not excessive and the 1901 seems reasonable as well.

It wasn't that long ago that the club shop didn't have the new kit in until a month into the season, the hospitality suite was a Portakabin and the ticket office had a total staff number of two.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I wonder what changes there will be to the Profile Lounge? I like it the way it is.

 

[TS90]

Barber's remit is to maximise revenue, of course he's going to be unpopular with fans who feel the prices are getting stupid.

 

[Superphil]

I wonder what changes there will be to the Profile Lounge? I like it the way it is.

We've been discussing it, my guess is they'll make one of the BUPA and Profile lounges 'eating only' and the other Lounge a bar and pies option. Sadly I think they'll make the Profile Lounge the food one, and we'll get dumped to the BUPA unless we're coughing £41 each. On the other hand, the corporate boxes are downstairs adjacent to BUPA so they might keep all the food down there. Thing is, I reckon they'll struggle to fill either lounge for food. I was an early adopter, signed up and paid early doors, the Profile Lounge was the original Platinum lounge, wonder if that will carry any weight?

 

[Spider]

Just had a similar invitation sent to 1901 Platinum members:

"After receiving feedback from a number of Platinum 1901 Club members throughout the first 12 months at the stadium, the club will be hosting a presentation to outline our vision to improve the 1901 Club matchday dining experience moving forward.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday 19th September from 8.30am until 9.30am in the Bupa Lounge. Whilst we appreciate this is short notice, we are keen for our members to experience the improvements at the earliest opportunity.

The presentation will be hosted by Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber and 1901 Club staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. "

Hang on, how come the last meeting was a few weeks ago, and then this one is announced at short notice as well? Why couldn't they announce this when the concerns were sufficiently raised to have the last one and avoid the problem of short notice? Or are they hoping that not too many people turn up?