[Albion] What Amex Improvements Would YOU Like To See Over The Summer?

[HeaviestTed]

Firstly there are staff pre-pouring.

Secondly the busiest times for most kiosks is 30 minutes before kick off. More customers for a variety of items during this period. Having beer only kiosks causes massive confusion. This was obvious when the club tried card only kiosks a few years ago and the decision to go cashless.

Thirdly there's a sweet spot that caterers/breweries look for costs v profits. We might not like it but there's a huge cost implication when trying to satisfy demand in such a small time frame. If the kiosks were able to supply a further 2000 pints (I doubt more would be required, knowing data I've seen) during the halftime period the gross profit of approx. £4500, the cost could easily swallow this up. Remember the club doesn't run the caterering.

Having mobile sellers, selling bottled beer (caps removed) could work if they have a dedicated internet connection to negate card issues.

Self serving beer units are ok but need to be observed by staff to ensure there's no underage drinking etc. Also there's not the room in many concourses and then there's the extra cellars etc required. Logistically almost impossible in most areas.

Mobile bar set ups are problematic as they suffer from ice bank depletion in the coolers during very busy periods rendering them useless. This is a huge issue especially in the oven like WSU concourse.

I haven't been to any top venue that can satisfy the need in such a small time frame. Yes improvements could be made to the current set up but, anyone witnessing the queue in the corridor at the iconic super stadium that is Villa Park, will understand our stadium is far better.

How about the mobile sellers but remove card issues by selling tokens you can redeem for beers - id buy a pack of ten at a time if it enabled my piss/beer dreams

 

[HeaviestTed]

Where are they going to store the 18,000 pints in readiness?

We need to invent stackable pints, it is the only way. This is going to be epic

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

We need to invent stackable pints, it is the only way. This is going to be epic

I'm heavily involved in developing beer by wi-fi.

 

[b.w.2.]

The answer is more seats in the north. The beer drinkers can wait until the season after next

 

[jcdenton08]

I'm heavily involved in developing beer by wi-fi.

Pouredband

 

[Chibberdy]

Don’t see how a pint of fosters, a Fanta, Two burgers and a bag of Starburst could have such an impact

Perhaps we could have queues in the concourse which are: booze only, up to two items, up to three items etc. That might speed up service a bit!

 

[brighton_tom]

Do we actually know of any improvements that definitely are happening? Is the outside toilets and bars going ahead?

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Perhaps we could have queues in the concourse which are: booze only, up to two items, up to three items etc. That might speed up service a bit!

Or confuse the shit out of everyone

 

[chaileyjem]

Do we actually know of any improvements that definitely are happening? Is the outside toilets and bars going ahead?

Barber in April - "we are opting to prioritise our capital expenditure budget to create a new external fan zone - a large covered area with food, drink, entertainment, and toilet facilities for use pre and post-match and a significant upgrade to our in-stadium PA system." is whats promised. It has planning permission.
But i'm not 100% certain its being built this summer. (i think it was postponed from last year due to the Womans Euros). Can anyone confirm that ?

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Barber in April - "we are opting to prioritise our capital expenditure budget to create a new external fan zone - a large covered area with food, drink, entertainment, and toilet facilities for use pre and post-match and a significant upgrade to our in-stadium PA system." is whats promised. It has planning permission.
But i'm not 100% certain its being built this summer. (i think it was postponed from last year due to the Womans Euros). Can anyone confirm that ?

The only thing we have permission for is an external screen and a couple of kiosk buildings. It sounds like what Barber is referring to is a more significant structure as it mentions it being covered, there's no permission for that so not going to happen this year.

 

[schmunk]

Firstly there are staff pre-pouring.

Secondly the busiest times for most kiosks is 30 minutes before kick off. More customers for a variety of items during this period. Having beer only kiosks causes massive confusion. This was obvious when the club tried card only kiosks a few years ago and the decision to go cashless.

Thirdly there's a sweet spot that caterers/breweries look for costs v profits. We might not like it but there's a huge cost implication when trying to satisfy demand in such a small time frame. If the kiosks were able to supply a further 2000 pints (I doubt more would be required, knowing data I've seen) during the halftime period the gross profit of approx. £4500, the cost could easily swallow this up. Remember the club doesn't run the caterering.

Having mobile sellers, selling bottled beer (caps removed) could work if they have a dedicated internet connection to negate card issues.

Self serving beer units are ok but need to be observed by staff to ensure there's no underage drinking etc. Also there's not the room in many concourses and then there's the extra cellars etc required. Logistically almost impossible in most areas.

Mobile bar set ups are problematic as they suffer from ice bank depletion in the coolers during very busy periods rendering them useless. This is a huge issue especially in the oven like WSU concourse.

I haven't been to any top venue that can satisfy the need in such a small time frame. Yes improvements could be made to the current set up but, anyone witnessing the queue in the corridor at the iconic super stadium that is Villa Park, will understand our stadium is far better.

There's only one thing for it: Beer Cannon!

 

[chaileyjem]

The only thing we have permission for is an external screen and a couple of kiosk buildings. It sounds like what Barber is referring to is a more significant structure as it mentions it being covered, there's no permission for that so not going to happen this year.

Well the club have submitted some new proposals for digital signage which don't have planning permission yet (last month) . As for the fanzone then Barber said in November that the tunnel club, signage and fanzone were part of a project that they expect to be complete by Summer 2024. https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/spo...m-upgrades-and-tunnel-club-experience-3922661

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Well the club have submitted some new proposals for digital signage which don't have planning permission yet (last month) . As for whether the planning permission for the fanzone - agreed i think as long ago as 2020/21 - and where i think the club communicated they weren't final designs - is covered by the existing permissions then lets wait and see - unless you've some inside info on that.

No just judging from Barber's comments.

 

[chaileyjem]

No just judging from Barber's comments.

Its hard to tell the timetable. He said late last year that the Tunnel Club, Signage and Fanzone would be complete over "next 18 months" - so by end of Summer 2024. The signage stuff - a complete overhaul with a lot of digital signs and a big new LCD screen (where the Peter Ward poster was) was submitted to the council a few weeks ago,. But i think there's been no new revision of the fanzone stuff . So presumably the existing permission was sufficient - but we'll see. The blocker was the ££ due to Covid etc but they have that now.

BH2023/00892 | Display of 4no LED digital screens to replace existing 5no illuminated fascia signs. | American Express Community Stadium Village Wa

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

[BrightonCottager]

The only thing we have permission for is an external screen and a couple of kiosk buildings. It sounds like what Barber is referring to is a more significant structure as it mentions it being covered, there's no permission for that so not going to happen this year.

A temporary structure (eg a big gazebo) in front of the screen / kiosks doesn't need a planning application- it is permitted development ('pd') under Class A. See here https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/4 . Under Class B you can also change the use of a piece of land for up to 28 days in any year, so if the Albion intend to use the same bit of tarmac for more than that it might need a planning application. Unless the Council removed all pd rights when permission was granted.

 

[chaileyjem]

This is also interesting - well mildly interesting for planning application geeks

BH2023/01335 | Partial excavation of bank and demolition of retaining walls to facilitate the erection of a two storey building comprising sub-station and switch room along with new retaining wall. |

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

[chaileyjem]

Here's some more detail (a lot of detail) per the signage changes

BH2023/00896 | Erection of internally illuminated fascia sign and 10no internally illuminated totem signs. | American Express Community Stadium Vil

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

BH2023/00895 | Removal of existing wayfinding signage and alterations to Stadium entranceways. | American Express Community Stadium Village Way Bri

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

and the original 2020 proposal to create toilets , outside bar etc. (which was agreed)

BH2020/00919 | Demolition of buildings comprising food and merchandise kiosks, band stand and program booths. Erection of 2 no. kiosks incorporating club shop, concessions, toilets and offices. Erection of an external screen. Relocat

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

 

[Bob!]

Here's some more detail (a lot of detail) per the signage changes
........

........and the original 2020 proposal to create toilets , outside bar etc. (which was agreed)

BH2020/00919 | Demolition of buildings comprising food and merchandise kiosks, band stand and program booths. Erection of 2 no. kiosks incorporating club shop, concessions, toilets and offices. Erection of an external screen. Relocat

planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk

There's 2 tier cycle storage in amongst that, for people that have been suggesting extra bike spaces.

 

[VAL1850]

Who needs the mono rail.....

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Who needs the mono rail.....

It looks like we may well see quite a change when we return in August then. With the provision of the loo's at least l won't be hopping on one foot in the queue for Dick's, hoping l can get to the toilet before an unfortunate accident occurs.