Catering at the Lane - Compass

[Foxy]

Last month, amongst other things, we were part of a group that met with representitives of the Blades and the new General Manager in charge of Compass' operations at the lane, Andy Smith (though he's no stranger to the lane, having been involved in the past).

A number of previous issues were discussed and as part of his introduction, Andy explained some of the issues that need working around and some of his plans and aims for the future.

One of the things that stood out was the enthusiasm and honesty, but like any business Compass will always be judged by their performance and the customer's experience.

As part of the process we've said that we'll collate feedback, comments, concerns and questions and regularly provide these for the perusal and reaction from Compass, so as always please post, pm and email anything you would like us to pass on. We'll then do our best to facilitate a response.

I'll allow Andy to introduce himself:

Hi all,

I am the new General Manager for the Compass Operation here at Bramall Lane. I won’t waste your time with numerous promises you may well have heard before but I would ask that you allow us time to make the changes we all wish to see made.

I am aware there have been failings on our part previously that despite the rumors have actually been outside of our direct control. These are not excuses but facts, that is by the by now and the focus is on improving both the service and the products.

We have and will continue to invest in the club as we are a partner of Sheffield United. We are looking at a number of initiatives on the concourses which will show the fans what Compass is truly about.

Here are just some of the ideas and changes we are making in the close season:

- Opening of two on site chip shops on the Kop stand and John Street
- Opening of a pie shop on the Kop stand
- Introducing shelving around the concourse areas so you have somewhere to rest your purchases - subject to planning permission (a lengthy process)
- Introduction of hog roast sandwich, spicy bean burger & new confectionary lines
- All burgers and hot dogs will now be served on bread sourced from a local bread supplier
- Reintroduction of beer hawkers at the end of queues to reduce queuing times
- Rename kiosks after famous Blades players past and present – Whereby fans will be asked to facilitate this via online polls

As I mentioned previously we are making a concerted effort to change things for the fans and give them a little back because their support through this challenging period has been fantastic.
All I ask is that we are given time to get this right, I cannot claim we can deliver the above over night but given time you have my assurances we will have a service and products we can all be proud of.

UTB,

Andy

After a number of comments regarding the cans on sale last night, I mentioned it to Andy, who tells me that these are a temporary measure whilst a few bits are finalised and that come the first game of the season there will be no cans.

 

[gavtheblade]

id like to have a back massage at half time please.

 

[SwissBlade]

The Derek Dooley absinthe bar...

RIP Derek

 

[raul]

If he can keep prices in line with local outlets and get the levels of quality and service right I think they're onto a winner here. Proof of the pudding and all that, but at least there's acknowledgement there needs to be an improvement.

 

[Worksop II]

that these are a temporary measure

So why charge £3.20 a Can ?

Clearly the Cans are Temporary, the £3.20 is set in Granite

 

[Coily]

The Derek Dooley absinthe bar...

RIP Derek

And get his Grandson to open it, that would be flash...

 

[TheSwollengland]

So why charge £3.20 a Can ?

Clearly the Cans are Temporary, the £3.20 is set in Granite

What he /she said ! I couldn't agree more,that was the point of my own post on the subject,its not the cans it was the price of em ,absolutely no justification whatsoever for that price other than to rip people off

 

[Foxy]

What he /she said ! I couldn't agree more,that was the point of my own post on the subject,its not the cans it was the price of em ,absolutely no justification whatsoever for that price other than to rip people off

I'm aware of that, just passing on updates/answers as I get them.

 

[Zlatan]

Looks like nobody gives a shit about the South Stand then.

 

[blade too long]

£3.30 a pint is 30p dearer than old trafford

 

[TopBoy]

I simply love the term "beer hawkers", I want that job.

 

[davidpinder]

I don't like the word ideas, i expect the usual shite available against Brentford. (god it pains me to have to write Brentford)

 

[Micalijo]

From guide to new BHA ground -

'Outside Brighton Mainline Station there are a number of excellent pubs'. Phil Kramer recommends the Evening Star, on Surrey Street. It is away fan friendly and only two a minute walk away from the station. It is in the CAMRA good beer guide and serves real Sussex ale and cider'. Otherwise alcohol is served within the stadium in the form of Kronenburg (£3.80), Strongbow (£3.80), Harveys real ale (£3.60), Fosters (£3.60), White, Red or Rose wine (£3.80). Food available inside the stadium includes; Thai green curry and rice £6.50, Thai vegetable curry and rice £6.50, Crispy chilli beef and noodles £6.50, Cheeseburger £4.20, Veggie Burger £4.20, Burger £4, Homemade Pies (£3.50, Steak & Ale, Chicken & Ham, Vegetarian).'

I will not rest until my matchday experience is improved via the availability of handdriers, beer at £1 a keg, Thai green curry and fresh bread - baked on the premises, all ready and waiting for me the instant the HT whistle goes.

Meanwhile people clap Monty, Doyle and Collins.

 

[raul]

Sounds great - when do we play them?

 

[Micalijo]

Sounds great - when do we play them?

Couldn't see em on my fixture list but it was only a quick glance.

But never mind, we'll be back soon with Monty and Doyle running the midfield, providing that defensive screen in a desperate rearguard action at Stevenage.

 

[SotonBlade]

If you don't like the prices in the Stadium, then drink outside of it before you go in. As Aleksander would say...Simples!

 

[JJ Sefton]

Any chance of mince?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

[video=youtube;QcBwcudQSSc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcBwcudQSSc[/video]

Happy to oblige

 

[alcoblade]

Couldn't see em on my fixture list but it was only a quick glance.

But never mind, we'll be back soon with Monty and Doyle running the midfield, providing that defensive screen in a desperate rearguard action at Stevenage.

I've little doubt if the powers that be could move them on, they would. So I think you're banging on an open door with this one, for whatever reason.

UTB

---------- Post added at 06:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:19 PM ----------

If you don't like the prices in the Stadium, then drink outside of it before you go in. As Aleksander would say...Simples!

Exactly. It is sad though that I could never contemplate giving the cub a proportion of my matchday beer money. But that's up to them.

UTB

 

[Bladesway]

At least its an acknowledgement of where we are. The ideas sound good and hopefully they will be implemented ASAP. If someone is listening then we are already a step forward. Fair play to the bloke for having a pair big enough (balls and ears) to take on board what is being said.

Proof of the pudding as Raul said.

 

[Robbie]

After a number of comments regarding the cans on sale last night, I mentioned it to Andy, who tells me that these are a temporary measure whilst a few bits are finalised and that come the first game of the season there will be no cans.

They've had all pre-season to be prepared, it shouldn't have come to using cans - which as has been said, were probably bought from the local off license earlier that day.

 

[TheSwollengland]

I have no objection to cans infact they could be an answer to the turn around, i.e pass the punter a can and and a plastic pot and away he goes but I am guessing there are are H & S regs that govern that. What I objected to on the night,and to be fair the bar manager was very fair about it saying it was not his decision and he could see why we were pissed off , was the fact that someone had sat down and made a conscious decision to charge £3.20 for a 500ml can that was probably bought at Tesco for 50p ! RIP OFF And someone at Compass needs to come out and say why they charged that price and apologise accordingly

 

[Highbury_Blade]

So how much should a business sell something that costs 50p? I think you've stated elsewhere that the going rate for a 330ml bottle is £3, and the bottle probably cost the blades about 50-60p to buy in, might be even less considering the volume they will be going through.

 

[TheSwollengland]

Not being in business and not knowing a great deal about profit margins ,but knowing a great deal about what I am happy to pay I would have thought I`d have happilly paid £2.00 for it based on the fact it was 7/8ths of a pint ,I was a captive audiance and the club has overheads. £2.50 tops but I would have still been a little miffed at that,out of interest what do you think was a fair price and why ?

By the way dont think Ive commented on going rates for bottles but will stand to be corrected

 

[Robbie]

So how much should a business sell something that costs 50p? I think you've stated elsewhere that the going rate for a 330ml bottle is £3, and the bottle probably cost the blades about 50-60p to buy in, might be even less considering the volume they will be going through.

The bottles sold in the ground are 500ml and are £3.20 I think,

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Apologies, it must have been somebody else who commented on the going rate. I was just raising the point that if people were prepared to pay £3.20 for a bottle, then moaning about the price of a can @£3.20 doesn't make sense, since it would probably would be a similar price for the club to buy in.

I would imagine that the club would probably want pretty healthy margins on it, somewhere around the 75% mark. Lets say the can costs the club 50p (Probably less though) and they're selling it at 3.20. Subtract the VAT off that and the club is selling it at a net price of £2.56. The profit on that can is £2.06

GP = (206/256) x100 = 80.4% GP (Which isn't that unusual for a a carling.) If you go into a pub in town owned by a big company they will probably be buying a pint in for 25-30p per pint. Now they have to make 80+% GP on a pint of carling as that usually subsidizes to a degree the drink items in the pub that have a much lower GP (Cask ales for instance)

As far as what a fair price for a can is, then based on the fact that the club has only 2 alcoholic drinks options, i would say a fair margin based on the clubs overheads would be about 75%. (Actually, it's the clubs + Compasses overheads)

If the can costs 50p then a 75% GP + 20% VAT would nudge it around the £2.70 - £2.75 mark. Ditto for the bottles.

 

[blade too long]

we all are aware the club needs to make a profit, 2.75 as you indicate would be a reasonable price , so why 55 p more
it takes the profit closer to 87.5%

and buying in bulk theyll get the bottles of 500mil at around 39p, which will be just over 90%, I can get them at 45p

hence the charge of pushing the envelope

 

[Kopped]

From guide to new BHA ground -

'Outside Brighton Mainline Station there are a number of excellent pubs'. Phil Kramer recommends the Evening Star, on Surrey Street. It is away fan friendly and only two a minute walk away from the station. It is in the CAMRA good beer guide and serves real Sussex ale and cider'. Otherwise alcohol is served within the stadium in the form of Kronenburg (£3.80), Strongbow (£3.80), Harveys real ale (£3.60), Fosters (£3.60), White, Red or Rose wine (£3.80). Food available inside the stadium includes; Thai green curry and rice £6.50, Thai vegetable curry and rice £6.50, Crispy chilli beef and noodles £6.50, Cheeseburger £4.20, Veggie Burger £4.20, Burger £4, Homemade Pies (£3.50, Steak & Ale, Chicken & Ham, Vegetarian).'

I will not rest until my matchday experience is improved via the availability of handdriers, beer at £1 a keg, Thai green curry and fresh bread - baked on the premises, all ready and waiting for me the instant the HT whistle goes.

Meanwhile people clap Monty, Doyle and Collins.

WOW those are really terribly high prices.

£4.20 for a breadcake and a bit of meat between ffs!

Extortionate prices!

God hope we don't go the same way.

Saying that, why don't United prepare their own produce? They have plenty of empty rooms to build kitchens in where they prepare home cooked Stew's on winter days. Burgers, hotdogs/sausages. Maybe use BDTBL as a freehold Pub, home cooked meals and sort there own beer out.

It only takes a dedicated publican to sort this out full term.

It pays for itself from the instant it opens.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

WOW those are really terribly high prices.

£4.20 for a breadcake and a bit of meat between ffs!

Extortionate prices!

God hope we don't go the same way.

Saying that, why don't United prepare their own produce? They have plenty of empty rooms to build kitchens in where they prepare home cooked Stew's on winter days. Burgers, hotdogs/sausages. Maybe use BDTBL as a freehold Pub, home cooked meals and sort there own beer out.

It only takes a dedicated publican to sort this out full term.

It pays for itself from the instant it opens.

Because cooking home-cooked perishable food on that scale is logistically and financially very problematic.

 

[Kopped]

Because cooking home-cooked perishable food on that scale is logistically and financially very problematic.

Not really, if it's done right!

They have to keep it warm in Bain-Maries anyway. Precook it and distribute it properly and according to demand and it'll be fine. There's 2 serving times at the end of the day not constant. UHC's are just as useful if used properly and it doesn't take a genius to employ a cook to prepare onm demand either. Especially Burger/hotdogs/sausages from a bain-marie/uhc. It's all done for them!

I'll never understand spending unneccessary money for a crap product.