Villa Park Catering.....

[RamboandBruno]

I can understand the pre-match grumbles. The last time I was in the Holte Suite, it was much much better in fairness. I've never quite fathomed why people can't go a whole 90 minutes (and a bit) without a beer though.

I agree to an extent, and ive asked myself several times why i bother to buy a beer or something for the kids at half time, its expensive and rushed. However, that isnt really the point, they have numerous kiosks, charging lots of money largely from supporters who have already shelled out lots of money on season tickets, the service is made available but its being delivered terribly. I don’t  think its the variety of things on offer either, thats quite limited in my opinion. Its partly infrastructural in terms of the space available on the concourses, but its also the staffing. Im not having a go at what are largely teenagers who are no doubt very lowly paid, but they seem to have received little training (one of them was being shown how to pour a pint by another kid during half time), and there is no visible bar management if you like, in terms of co-ordinating what they do. It also doesnt help that the catering company used, obviously churns staff and its literally never the same people behind the various bars, so its groundhog day of new young employees not knowing what they are doing or what to expect every week.

[pauliewalnuts]

We know there's problems, they know there's problems. There just isn't the ability at present to make a wide choice available so until that's sorted we should get back to the basics - chips, pies, burgers.

They can’t even get the drinks part right, though.

[Ad@m]

If every game was at 3pm it'd be fine to ignore the kiosks but taking young kids to a 5.30 kickoff means you've got very little choice other than to get something for dinner in the ground.

Like others, I can't fathom how they manage to make it look so difficult.

[pauliewalnuts]

Can’t you get them something from an outlet outside the ground before the match?

[Des Little]

Given the relatively short timespan available at half time, why don’t they just sell bottled beers? Infinitely quicker to get people served and away surely?

[Ad@m]

Can’t you get them something from an outlet outside the ground before the match?

Well if we did the kids would've been eating dinner at 4.30 which is a bit early but it misses the point that an organisation the size of the Villa, who welcome 750,000 people a year through the turnstiles really ought to be able to sell some chips to people who want them.

[Risso]

Yes, questioning why fans can’t go without a pint or whether they should get something outside is missing the point. The club should be able to provide what fans are after, it’s not like supporters have just started to drink beer at the game in the last 5 years.

[artvandelay]

Hear my out, refrigerate loads of pint bottles of beer. They're plastic, hand them out, take the caps off loads of them in busy times, wouldn't they double their revenue? Plastic cups on the side for people to pour into if they please. Is this too sensible?

[Gareth]

Nevermind there’ll soon be another 8000 fans to not manage to serve….if they had the inclination to fix it they would have done by now

[Nev]

Given the relatively short timespan available at half time, why don’t they just sell bottled beers? Infinitely quicker to get people served and away surely?

Before taking a ST in the Holte, we used to go up the North Stand and although it was tiny, you could get half decent bottled beer and cider and looking back on it, it seemed easier than it is on the Holte.

[Clampy]

Yes, questioning why fans can’t go without a pint or whether they should get something outside is missing the point.

To you and others who have said this, you're all absolutely right. It's not just beer that's on sale, their's food and people do obviously get hungry. I think my point was aimed towards those who have been in pub two-three hours before the game then leave their seat half hour in to get some more down their neck.

[Flin5tone]

Well we put out the suggestions for a simple and effective system and clearly those at the top know more than us supporters. Instead they invest thousands on screens when all they really needed was bottle bars. The staff don't know how to pour pints, we seen fans having to show the staff how to pour.

Bottles only, fast and simple
Pies/Burgers
Chocolate

And then get Costa or someone in to install a self service coffee machine

Problem solved

[LeeB]

Given the relatively short timespan available at half time, why don’t they just sell bottled beers? Infinitely quicker to get people served and away surely?

Before taking a ST in the Holte, we used to go up the North Stand and although it was tiny, you could get half decent bottled beer and cider and looking back on it, it seemed easier than it is on the Holte.

I've been up in the North Stand the last few seasons and for all it's faults, I don't experience anywhere near the problems listed by others on this thread

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Well we put out the suggestions for a simple and effective system and clearly those at the top know more than us supporters. Instead they invest thousands on screens when all they really needed was bottle bars. The staff don't know how to pour pints, we seen fans having to show the staff how to pour.

Bottles only, fast and simple
Pies/Burgers
Chocolate

And then get Costa or someone in to install a self service coffee machine

Problem solved

Not rocket science is it. This and or a shed load of pre poured pints ready to go.

[pauliewalnuts]

Can’t you get them something from an outlet outside the ground before the match?

Well if we did the kids would've been eating dinner at 4.30 which is a bit early but it misses the point that an organisation the size of the Villa, who welcome 750,000 people a year through the turnstiles really ought to be able to sell some chips to people who want them.

.

Oh yeah I definitely agree with that, was just an aside