City - a club who listen? CityView/Catering rant

[BlueSkyBlue]

An update - apologies I haven't read all the replied.

I met with the Head of Public Relations - he said they are looking into the multi pour system but may be restricted by the lines going into the bars. As someone said above they can be unreliable and I think multiple bars run off one cellar as there have been times when the lager goes at one bar its off at the neighbouring ones too.

He did advise that the training of staff takes place before the season starts and that the first couple of games are always worse as they have a high staff turnover due to people not returning for a second shift, and new starters are taken through a beer pouring session - but they cant replicate 2-300 people all wanting a beer at once.

I guess the positive is "at least they listened" but don't think much will change short term.

 

[80s Shorts]

Why not just have massive fridges and sell pint tins of beer.

 

[Ric]

I'm not one to moan, but I've moved into 211 this season (after the price increases in 207 for premium seating), and the facilities in there are a bit inadequate to say the least. There's one beer tap, housed in a betting kiosk to serve two whole blocks. It's a bit of a shambles, and makes it impossible to get a pint at half time.

Not sure why they can't have mobile beer sellers in there, like they used to employ near 111?

 

[Saddleworth2]

My experience of the Watford game was certainly better than Chelsea in that it was easier to get a pint both on the concourse (101) and in CitySquare. I do hope that the club does act on feedback though. It's good that BSB's opinions were asked but it doesn't sound like he got a detailed response.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Still struggle to see why anyone queues for ages to buy over priced shite beer and under cooked over priced shite food and cant go 110 minutes without either...

lots of things about the modern game are over priced but we still pay it.
50 notes for an away ticket isn,t great but we still pay it
folk who dont go to football prob say" i struggle to see why anyone goes to football to see over an over priced product"
if its not something you do,perhaps you dont need to struggle with it.

 

[dark 'n stormy]

lots of things about the modern game are over priced but we still pay it.
50 notes for an away ticket isn,t great but we still pay it
folk who dont go to football prob say" i struggle to see why anyone goes to football to see over an over priced product"
if its not something you do,perhaps you dont need to struggle with it.

I was coming in from Llangollen for the last game and had decided that due to the uncertainty of the travel time via rail, I'd get fed and watered at the ground, despite the high prices. I only got there with minutes to spare so waited for half time for sustenance but by the time I was served I missed the Sterling goal. Not impressed.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

I was coming in from Llangollen for the last game and had decided that due to the uncertainty of the travel time via rail, I'd get fed and watered at the ground, despite the high prices. I only got there with minutes to spare so waited for half time for sustenance but by the time I was served I missed the Sterling goal. Not impressed.

As soon as you decided to get fed and watered at the ground you must have thought there was a risk you might miss some of the action?
i missed sterlings first goal for the club too, due to half time chaos at the bar. I was gutted..for about 2.4 seconds.
Half time chaos has been the norm for my 30 yrs watching City, its nothing new.

The truth is City are not bothered about fans getting a drink quickly at half time from the low level free- for- all watering holes set aside for the masses,they are staffed by poorly paid employees who dont really care, operating ill thought out systems.
If you want fast, efficient service the club are clearly saying pay more for access to one of the upgrades and ,executive suites or lounges....Thats what the clubs unofficial stance is imo

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

The service for a pint of beer before the game yesterday was an utter fucking shambles; once again. It was utterly farcical. The staff did not know what they were doing. It was like they'd been pulled off the street half an hour beforehand and told to get on with it. The 'supervisor' was taking his job title far too literally. He told me he wasn't allowed to muck in. Incredible, if true. Wherever I go in the ground, the problem is always similar.

The thing is, with some decent catering management and leadership these are problems that could be easily resolved. This would have the dual effect of getting people served more quickly and increasing catering revenue.

I cannot believe how appallingly run this part of the club's business is. It's like a throwback to the Swales' era, it's that shockingly bad.

 

[TCIB]

 

[lancs blue]

The service for a pint of beer before the game yesterday was an utter fucking shambles; once again. It was utterly farcical. The staff did not know what they were doing. It was like they'd been pulled off the street half an hour beforehand and told to get on with it. The 'supervisor' was taking his job title far too literally. He told me he wasn't allowed to muck in. Incredible, if true. Wherever I go in the ground, the problem is always similar.

The thing is, with some decent catering management and leadership these are problems that could be easily resolved. This would have the dual effect of getting people served more quickly and increasing catering revenue.

I cannot believe how appallingly run this part of the club's business is. It's like a throwback to the Swales' era, it's that shockingly bad.

Isn't the catering outsourced on a franchise basis, that would explain the similarity to the Swales era?

 

[gkmcfc]

I waited for about 20 mins to get a slice of pizza and a bovril yesterday. The food is there ready and waiting. Just don't understand why it takes so long

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Isn't the catering outsourced on a franchise basis, that would explain the similarity to the Swales era?

Don't know tbh, but whatever the arrangement it simply isn't fit for purpose.

 

[Quad]

I got my food without waiting 30 mins before kick off
Bloody love the pies too but the beer is awful

 

[lancs blue]

I got my food without waiting 30 mins before kick off
Bloody love the pies too but the beer is awful

The beer is shockingly poor and shockingly over-priced for what it is, it's been like that for years, it amazes me that so many still drink the stuff served up in the stadium.

 

[Quad]

The beer is shockingly poor and shockingly over-priced for what it is, it's been like that for years, it amazes me that so many still drink the stuff served up in the stadium.

I don't normally just i drove last night and won't be parting with my money for that crap beer again

 

[TCIB]

Get those bottom filling systems, it is not a gimmick, they have them in some American stadiums and you see them eat up huge ques. They have 6 or 7 in a row and you can be filling another rack of 7 whilst they fill.
A man of the street could do it to with no training.

Next time they are doing catering contracts maybe note to companies we would look favourably on those who can deal with a large amount of people quick and that these fast bottom pour systems help do that. The system can't be that expensive can it ?

 

[Gunnerblue9320]

Get those bottom filling systems, it is not a gimmick, they have them in some American stadiums and you see them eat up huge ques. They have 6 or 7 in a row and you can be filling another rack of 7 whilst they fill.
A man of the street could do it to with no training.

Next time they are doing catering contracts maybe note to companies we would look favourably on those who can deal with a large amount of people quick and that these fast bottom pour systems help do that. The system can't be that expensive can it ?

I thought they had these in place? I was at city live pre match a few matches ago and they showed it on big screen saying now available at City?

 

[bluegirl74]

There is a fast fill lager only bar right in front of the stage in City Sq.
It has reduced the queues for other drinks significantly. I don't drink lager but I'm told it tastes crap :-)

 

[BlueAnorak]

Well I've finally given up on club fayre.
The club doesn't listen so what's the point in making yourself angry by standing in a queue for 20 mins at half time. It's so much less stressful.
Much better for you to get a drink and a pie elsewhere before or after the game. I have a choccy bar in my pocket in case I get the munchies at the stadium too.

So thats about £10 a game the club are losing in revenue from me and I don't get angry about the catering. Brilliant.
Now how do I stop getting angry about the manager/players?

 

[quiet_riot]

Get those bottom filling systems, it is not a gimmick, they have them in some American stadiums and you see them eat up huge ques. They have 6 or 7 in a row and you can be filling another rack of 7 whilst they fill.
A man of the street could do it to with no training.

Next time they are doing catering contracts maybe note to companies we would look favourably on those who can deal with a large amount of people quick and that these fast bottom pour systems help do that. The system can't be that expensive can it ?

They have bottoms-up fillers in the bar behind 122/123 - the queue seemed as long as ever when I got into the stadium yesterday though.