The Holte Suite

[AV84]

Indeed https://www.chelseafc.com/en/club-chelsea/the-dugout-club

I don't get the appeal but obviously there's something in it. I wonder did they consult the players and staff who'll get soaked all winter.

[London Villan]

https://www.mancity.com/hospitality/the-tunnel-club?cohort=GB_out_#the-tunnel-club

All the "big" clubs do it. Close to action, see the players up close, get a selfie, tell them they've had a sh*te game!

[London Villan]

Sorry for the double post - but when you actually look at man city's offer you can see how far away we are from that.  It's mindblowing that a club with man city's support is able to make this viable?!

https://www.mancity.com/hospitality/mens?cohort=GB_out_#city-bars

[dave.woodhall]

I'm looking at that lot and hating football a bit more all the time.

[AV84]

Sorry for the double post - but when you actually look at man city's offer you can see how far away we are from that.  It's mindblowing that a club with man city's support is able to make this viable?!

https://www.mancity.com/hospitality/mens?cohort=GB_out_#city-bars

I'd imagine a club like Man City are more likely to make that work. Tourist club offers tourist experiences for its tourist fans.

[VillaTim]

Sad state of affairs

[London Villan]

It’s a long way from Moss Side.

[UK Redsox]

I'm looking at that lot and hating football a bit more all the time.

Comes to something when they offer hospitality packages that require you to go to a different stadium

[Nev]

With a nod to those who may get punted out of their seats, I can see all this happening at Villa Park and while I don't like it if people are daft enough to pay it let them crack on. Just leave the Holte End to the supporters.

[VillaTim]

I'm looking at that lot and hating football a bit more all the time.

Comes to something when they offer hospitality packages that require you to go to a different stadium

Looked at it last season for our away game there was a £500 package where you eat at a restaurant in the town centre then have to get to the ground , WTAF !

[AV84]

Looked at it last season for our away game there was a £500 package where you eat at a restaurant in the town centre then have to get to the ground , WTAF !

Again, I can see a club like MC attracting people who would want that experience, it's debatable whether they're actually football fans though. And no offence to us, but even with the improvement on the pitch, and where that might lead, I just can't see us ever being that kind of attractive for experiences like that. At the very least we're a long way off it.

It does feel a bit like they've skipped several steps with these plans.

[astonvilla82]

Apart from buying Villa clothes for the baby granddaughter,I won't be purchasing any drinks or food from them in future,if I not good enough to provide adequate facilities during the game, your not good enough to have my money

[Chris Harte]

"The Lower Grounds will open its doors to a fan-focused experience, which will include food and drinks as part of the package, for the first time against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, September 30.

Located in the former Holte Suite, the Lower Grounds will be open from three hours before kick-off and up to 90 minutes post-match, supporters will be able to take advantage of all-you-can-eat street food as well as a range of beers, wines and soft drinks* while mingling with former players and watching pre-match build-up, interviews and classic matches on large media screens in a convivial atmosphere."

Just a thought, but the text from the story about the Lower Grounds on the club website mentions before and after the game, but nothing about half time. Could it possibly be available to regular ST holders at half-time? If not, then what will it be used for at this time?

I just don't see a scenario where the club don't want the tills ringing in there at half time.

[Chico Hamilton III]

https://www.mancity.com/hospitality/the-tunnel-club?cohort=GB_out_#the-tunnel-club

All the "big" clubs do it. Close to action, see the players up close, get a selfie, tell them they've had a sh*te game!

We had tunnel club seats at Wycombe in the cup a few years ago.

[itmustbe_it is!]

Unpopular opinion I guess but I'd stopped going in the Holte Suite because of the queue to get in , the age it took to get a drink , most times there was nowhere to sit , there just seemed zero point. The only benefit was it was free, but I could just go in the Lower Holte, where catering is pretty good now, and its easy to get a beer 0 and there's nowhere to sit there either but no worse off.

So if  there's an option to pay to use a facility that is a positive experience then I might use it, maybe 2 or 3 times a season, when I know I can get there early and then go in again to let the traffic clear after. Yes it's dear but it's cheap compared to say, a corporate ticket at a concert, which I also like to do now and again.

Just because something is free, doesn't mean its any good. Usually the opposite.

It wasn't free, it was one of the benefits of buying a ST and when I bought mine in the summer it was on the understanding that I could gain access, depending on availability, to the HS. As I had for the previous two seasons that I held a ST. Would I have given up my ST if they had announced the change to the HS? No, of course not, but it would've been nice to be informed about the change and I think that's what's at the heart of this really. The extraordinary arrogance of the Club towards the fans who don't have the sort of money needed to access enhanced facilities, and the appalling state of the facilities in the UH where I sit.

Yes I do get that, and understand that it feels like, for those that used it, something has been taken away. I just dont think it added much, but thats just a personal opinion.

Like it or not, this is how the clubs we aspire to be on a level with make their money.

I can't speak about the facilities anywhere other then the Lower Holte as thats where I sit, but they have improved out of all recognition in the last 12 months, I would assume that it's in the plan to do this everywhere else too.

I sit in the lower holte and have done for years and they really haven’t improved that much. The queing and appalling service have been somewhat improved by the pre order machines and the small bar where you tab your debit card. But its a slightly improved queing system before the game, not at half time, for the same shite service and fair on offer.

Nevs point is exactly right. If I’m honest im not that bothered about losing the three of four visits to the holte suite a season, but it was part of the season ticket and they should of told season ticket holders before.

Did they say it would be included this year? or just not say it wouldn't?

I dont know about your LH experience, I dont try and get a drink at half time (though when I get my prematch food and drink, it asks me to preorder for half time - does that not help?) but before the game I think its very good - food is good, there no queue to order at the machine or collect the drinks and food, its fine.