The Holte Suite

[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.

[Nev]

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.

[chrisw1]

I can see why they did not want to announce it at the same time as the TV tbf.  They're managing the bad news.  Most people are used to life without the TV concourse now, whereas announcing them together there would prob have been a lot more complaints.

[Gareth]

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.

C’mon Nev they have compensated all season ticket holders for this with the highly discounted prices for admission for the League Cup tie :-)

It’s a great point though

[Risso]

It makes you wonder what they've got planned for Villa Live or whatever the scaled back version is going to be called.

[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.

[RamboandBruno]

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.

[VillaTim]

the facilities and service in the Witton Upper is a total joke . Then if you ever do get to the front of the queue the level of service is laughable . How long can it take to unscrew the top of a bottle of coke

[amfy]

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.

I checked my welcome emails from this year and last. Turns out they didn’t offer access to The Holte Suite this year. Who noticed?
https://twitter.com/amfy/status/1704456798776770660?s=61&t=ykPqB2YlwOoDmsWj6RR6ng

[frank black]

Oh I’m sure it’s been planned well in advance. Just like when they hoof me out of my seat behind the dugout (next season wouldn’t surprise me) for the new “dugout experience package”

[Border villan]

Just opened the email about the “fan focused experience “.
Straight into the bin.

[Brazilian Villain]

Oh I’m sure it’s been planned well in advance. Just like when they hoof me out of my seat behind the dugout (next season wouldn’t surprise me) for the new “dugout experience package”

Back in the day, the "Doug Out experience package" was free for all Villa fans.

[London Villan]

They are already prepping for it with the removal of the roof from the dugouts. I'm sure it will be next season and those seats will have access to the Holte Suite as part of the package.

[AV84]

They are already prepping for it with the removal of the roof from the dugouts. I'm sure it will be next season and those seats will have access to the Holte Suite as part of the package.

What's the thinking there? That being able to sit behind an open dugout is a desirable thing with your ticket?

[London Villan]

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