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[Albion] New fan zone - "The Terrace" [Opening 1/4/25 v Aston Villa]



TWOCHOICEStom

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2007
11,043
Brighton
So anyway is there a seperate section for Amex Platinum holders? Cause you can do one if you think I want to be mixing with you zero yearly fee, got it to get upstairs, no intention of spending a penny, blue card POORS.
 




chaileyjem

#BarberIn
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Jun 27, 2012
15,085
But I don’t think that’s the crux of most of the complaints here, they aren’t complaining about the investment, it’s that some of the investment doesn’t seem to be for everyone.
Yes. Agreed. I understand why the club want to put ££ into the Tunnel Club, or new lounges. And there's some on here that appreciate that side of the Albion and happy to cough up for it, but others will recoil given what it represents. But i think the stairs, PA, toilets, what have the Romans done for us type stuff was because there's also a strong view on here from a vocal minority that EVERYTHING the club do is about shaking you down for more ££. Either way, many clubs aren't investing in their stadiums to maintain or improve them er, at all.
 
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chaileyjem

#BarberIn
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Jun 27, 2012
15,085
Well yes. But I guess you're one of the people who are active on here and are engaged in the clubs press content and media reporting. The majority aren't. And for these people, "everyone is welcome to access the whole area" is a clearer message than "everyone can go to some of it. You need to apply for a credit card to go to all of it".

I just think plenty will just think it's not for them
Yep. Agreed. Many will turn up at Villa and be surprised they won't be able to go upstairs. I guess most will just not care, some will be annoyed about it, and a few might just go home and order a card - which i guess is what AMEX are hoping for given they've given the club ££ to sponsor it ?
 


ROSM

Well-known member
Dec 26, 2005
7,260
Just far enough away from LDC
When I go to the o2 I could go in the Amex lounge or the virgin lounge or the sky lounge or the o2 lounge at various stages based on being a customer of theirs.

I often go to all bar one or las iguanas. It's how it is
 


jackalbion

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2011
5,553
Yes. Agreed. I understand why the club want to put ££ into the Tunnel Club, or new lounges. And there's some on here that appreciate that side of the Albion and happy to cough up for it, but others will recoil given what it represents. But i think the stairs, PA, toilets, what have the Romans done for us type stuff was because there's also a strong view on here from a vocal minority that EVERYTHING the club do is about shaking you down for more ££.
I don’t know I just think having an Amex isn’t something that should be rewarded by the club. Despite the comments there are some checks that mean some people wouldn’t be able to apply for an Amex, for right or for wrong. The only thing that prevents people here is potentially their poor credit score. Would people be happy if they only let people into “the clubhouse” with a certain number of loyalty points? As ultimately that is how much you’ve spent at the club.

I don’t know it just feels to me that it’s a completely unnecessary barrier for some fans, which I can’t see how it’ll make the club more money, because while you will apply for a card now, it doesn't make you spend. The reaction I’ve seen from most not on here, has been just as an example “the posh fans are treated better” and “football is all about money now”. If this exclusive area was not there it would be an overall net positive and like you say no downsides.
 
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Brovion

In my defence, I was left unsupervised.
NSC Patron
Jul 6, 2003
20,119
Yes. Agreed. I understand why the club want to put ££ into the Tunnel Club, or new lounges. And there's some on here that appreciate that side of the Albion and happy to cough up for it, but others will recoil given what it represents. But i think the stairs, PA, toilets, what have the Romans done for us type stuff was because there's also a strong view on here from a vocal minority that EVERYTHING the club do is about shaking you down for more ££. Either way, many clubs aren't investing in their stadiums to maintain or improve them er, at all.
I think that's valid. We can moan about the corporate nature of it, (and the 'Amex carholders only' thing sticks in the craw a bit) but that too is part of modern football, indeed modern hospitality.

However I refuse to believe it was built solely for the purpose of rinsing an already well-rinsed fanbase for more money. It will be a great asset in itself, and hopefully will help alleviate the pressure on the other bars, and maybe help ease the transport queues. Plus it sounds like it will be used and available on non-match days as well thus making the stadium a bit more of a community asset (even if the word 'community' has now been dropped from the name).

And yes, hopefully it will make the club money.
 


chaileyjem

#BarberIn
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Jun 27, 2012
15,085
Would people be happy if they only let people into “the clubhouse” with a certain number of loyalty points?
One small thing - it says in the FAQ - you can have up to three guests with you who won't have cards. And @Bozza has said the club are going to be "sensible" in terms of managing volumes if the upstairs balcony space is underused etc. (my reading of that is they will just open it up for everyone at certain times) .
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
58,087
Back in Sussex
I don’t know I just think having an Amex isn’t something that should be rewarded by the club. Despite the comments there are some checks that mean some people wouldn’t be able to apply for an Amex, for right or for wrong. The only thing that prevents people here is potentially their poor credit score. Would people be happy if they only let people into “the clubhouse” with a certain number of loyalty points? As ultimately that is how much you’ve spent at the club.

I don’t know it just feels to me that it’s a completely unnecessary barrier for some fans, which I can’t see how it’ll make the club more money, because while you will apply for a card now, it doesn't make you spend. The reaction I’ve seen from most not on here, has been just as an example “the posh fans are treated better” and “football is all about money now”. If this exclusive area was not there it would be an overall net positive and like you say no downsides.
Maybe you're a man of higher principles than me, Jack.

For me, Amex have pumped many tens of millions of pounds into the club, money which has helped deliver the things we all enjoy both off and on the pitch.

It's not an entirely selfless act, of course - the sponsorship helps serve their business objectives - but it remains true.

And if that means they are able to offer their cardholders some very minor perks, then I'm just fine with that.

If the whole facility was only available to Amex cardholders, then that wouldn't be cool, but we know that's not the case.

And, if you really want to be able to go to the "Amex Clubhouse" bit - instead of the freely-accessible bit - then an Amex card will do that for you. Not everyone can get one, but a lot of people can. Indeed, a lot already do.

It's another fantastic step in what has been a near-continous series of enhancements to the stadium since it was first built. I can't think of any other stadium that has seen improvement after improvement in the same way. We're lucky.
 




jackalbion

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2011
5,553
One small thing - it says in the FAQ - you can have up to three guests with you who won't have cards. And @Bozza has said the club are going to be "sensible" in terms of managing volumes if the upstairs balcony space is underused etc. (my reading of that is they will just open it up for everyone at certain times) .
Agree, that is positive, seems like a slight own goal, as an example, my group of 15 or so mates I drink with after games, ONE has an Amex, and he works for them. I think there's a very targeted demographic that has an Amex. If they want to tempt people into the facility out of choice rather than a necessity, they need to have reasons to go there.

For these other exclusive areas at other venues I've been at (Brockwell Park, BST, the O2) I have visited once and realised its a bit rubbish in that area, as its all corporate and never gone back. I just don't think it will help the venue overall. Its like these golden circles at gigs for people with various different perks. You have a load of people (usually older) hanging around at the front, while you've got people halfway through forming the moshpits etc. I just think these areas will become under utilised as a result, because people will nip in, grab a beer in a shorter queue, and then walk back out and spend time with their mates. Anyway I've probably thought too much about this, I just don't see the benefit of it.
 


jackalbion

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2011
5,553
Maybe you're a man of higher principles than me, Jack.

For me, Amex have pumped many tens of millions of pounds into the club, money which has helped deliver the things we all enjoy both off and on the pitch.

It's not an entirely selfless act, of course - the sponsorship helps serve their business objectives - but it remains true.

And if that means they are able to offer their cardholders some very minor perks, then I'm just fine with that.

If the whole facility was only available to Amex cardholders, then that wouldn't be cool, but we know that's not the case.

And, if you really want to be able to go to the "Amex Clubhouse" bit - instead of the freely-accessible bit - then an Amex card will do that for you. Not everyone can get one, but a lot of people can. Indeed, a lot already do.

It's another fantastic step in what has been a near-continous series of enhancements to the stadium since it was first built. I can't think of any other stadium that has seen improvement after improvement in the same way. We're lucky.
I don't disagree with a lot of that, I'm likely to be able to use it as have a mate, others won't. I just have never seen these things work out as being beneficial to event spaces from when I've seen this sort of thing implemented elsewhere. I think its a great facility. To phrase someone else formerly of this forum 'im just haveing my views'.
 


Charles 'Charley' Charles

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2005
3,617
The Mile Of Oaks
Just as a bit of devils advocate about having the upstairs for Amex card holders and it not being for everyone. For the past 14 years I’ve not been allowed in Dicks Bar on a match day because I take my children to the football and it was adults only, so that certainly wasn’t inclusive for everyone.

I’m quite excited for this and looking forward to it opening, and yes my wife and I both have Amex cards.
 




Napper

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
24,642
Sussex
I don’t know I just think having an Amex isn’t something that should be rewarded by the club. Despite the comments there are some checks that mean some people wouldn’t be able to apply for an Amex, for right or for wrong. The only thing that prevents people here is potentially their poor credit score. Would people be happy if they only let people into “the clubhouse” with a certain number of loyalty points? As ultimately that is how much you’ve spent at the club.

I don’t know it just feels to me that it’s a completely unnecessary barrier for some fans, which I can’t see how it’ll make the club more money, because while you will apply for a card now, it doesn't make you spend. The reaction I’ve seen from most not on here, has been just as an example “the posh fans are treated better” and “football is all about money now”. If this exclusive area was not there it would be an overall net positive and like you say no downsides.

Cant really blame them for wanting to maximize this .
 


Herr Tubthumper

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
64,000
The Fatherland
I don’t know I just think having an Amex isn’t something that should be rewarded by the club. Despite the comments there are some checks that mean some people wouldn’t be able to apply for an Amex, for right or for wrong. The only thing that prevents people here is potentially their poor credit score. Would people be happy if they only let people into “the clubhouse” with a certain number of loyalty points? As ultimately that is how much you’ve spent at the club.

I don’t know it just feels to me that it’s a completely unnecessary barrier for some fans, which I can’t see how it’ll make the club more money, because while you will apply for a card now, it doesn't make you spend. The reaction I’ve seen from most not on here, has been just as an example “the posh fans are treated better” and “football is all about money now”. If this exclusive area was not there it would be an overall net positive and like you say no downsides.
I'm struggling to understand the issue here. All Brighton fans are welcome into the Fan Zone, no one is being denied. If you also have an AMEX card, and there is space, there's a lounge you can also use. If entry to the entire Zone was only for AMEX card holders, that would be shit.....a small lounge in a 2000-3000 cap venue.....no big deal.
 






Bob!

Coffee Buyer
Jul 5, 2003
11,895
I've had a small it of to-and-fro. The club are putting together an expanded FAQ based on questions raised from me and, I'm sure, others, but a few bits...

- The downstairs is bigger
- It will not be the case that the Amex area is sparsely populated whilst the general area is rammed - this will be managed sensibly.
- (I was wrong) The club are hopeful of screening away games even if they are not UK-televised, but they need to ask for Premier League permission.

So, it is the whole of the upstairs reserved for Amex card holders (and mates) then?
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
58,087
Back in Sussex
I'm struggling to understand the issue here. All Brighton fans are welcome into the Fan Zone, no one is being denied. If you also have an AMEX card, and there is space, there's a lounge you can also use. If entry to the entire Zone was only for AMEX card holders, that would be shit.....a small lounge in a 2000-3000 cap venue.....no big deal.
I'm with you, quite clearly from my prior posts. However, we don't know the capacity split...

The indoor capacity is 1,000 (not 2-3,000), and for much of the football season, I assume it will be doors-closed indoors-only as it will be freezing and/or pissing it down.

The stated 3,000 capacity includes outdoor space and, as an aside, I'm interested to see how that is structured and managed given it feels like a bit of a pinchpoint in terms of crowd movement around the new building itself.

The fly-through video does make it look like the upstairs has more customer floorspace and seating, as a lot of the downstairs is taken up with kitchens and staff areas etc.

If the fly-through is an accurate representation of the final build. it looks like the Amex Clubhouse, if it takes up the entirety of the upstairs level, would be bigger than the general area.
 




jackalbion

Well-known member
Aug 30, 2011
5,553
I'm struggling to understand the issue here. All Brighton fans are welcome into the Fan Zone, no one is being denied. If you also have an AMEX card, and there is space, there's a lounge you can also use. If entry to the entire Zone was only for AMEX card holders, that would be shit.....a small lounge in a 2000-3000 cap venue.....no big deal.
Like Bozza said its about the capacity split, that hasn't really been explained, and whether you get the same drink/food choices, from what I can gather (and maybe I'm wrong) the downstairs looks very similar to a concourse, with no seating, same food/drink choices.
 






ManOnTheRun

Active member
Jul 7, 2003
855
West Hove
The indoor capacity is 1,000 (not 2-3,000), and for much of the football season, I assume it will be doors-closed indoors-only as it will be freezing and/or pissing it down.
Interesting. I assumed the opposite. That the downstairs would be 'open' on match days. Allowing more folks to move through the area and or eat/drink even if they aren't actually 'under the roof'.
 


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