ANDY Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 In the latest edition of the chairman's Q&A with supporters, Mr Chansiri talks about the catering situation and the potential of naming rights at Hillsborough. Why did you bring the catering side of the business in-house and has this move worked? Since we started the Steering Group meetings, the catering was always one of the most raised subjects on a consistent basis. The level of dissatisfaction was concerning so with that guidance in mind alongside a diligent examination process, it was agreed that we would bring the catering arm of the business in-house. This step was taken at a significant high-end six-figure cost to the club which included unwinding financial commitments aligned to the contract. Nonetheless, we firmly believe this to be the right decision in both the short and long term. This did not mean the catering was going to be transformed overnight – it will be a steady process – but already we are seeing major improvements. In short, the catering arm needed rebuilding from the bottom up to lay a solid foundation for many years to come. Bear in mind that Hillsborough is an old stadium that was not designed with catering or hospitality in mind so does not lend itself well to either. But what we had to do was drill down into every very area that we studied in detail, from non-matchday events, matchday concourses and across all corporate areas. Assessments were made on where improvement was required which were detailed in a thorough business plan that we felt was necessary in order to move forward. We were under no illusion of an easy fix but the early signs have offered great encouragement. Having taken control of the catering and staffing, we have been able to aggressively drive down costs and increase revenues, whilst reducing some lines in price. Overall, by far the majority of product prices have been held compared to those in place before I bought our club in 2015. With regular customer engagement and ongoing improvement, we are confident that the catering will prosper to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Menu and concourse offerings - in terms of quality and choice - have been upgraded and so too has the level of service, which in many ways can be as important as the product itself. We have also partnered with recognised national and local brands, giving supporters and clients the right blend of quality and variety. The partnership with Thornbridge Brewery, for example, has been particularly well received following the launch this season of the popular ‘Wednesday Beer’. The concourses will continue to improve, with waiting times set to be further reduced when we introduce fast pour pumps throughout the stadium. Our long term vision will also see Hillsborough become one of the first cashless stadiums in the country as we embrace the technology for our supporters to enjoy the best matchday experience possible. Would you consider selling naming rights for Hillsborough? We continue to try and explore every opportunity to help stay within the Profitability and Sustainability regulations and while naming rights can contribute significantly to the overall commercial budget of a club, they do not represent the millions that some may think. Outside of the Premier League, the challenges are more acute, without doubt. The current economic climate does not lend itself to huge stadium naming rights deals globally and those deals that are in place tend to be aligned to new stadia with maximum exposure. But that is not to say it is not possible at a club the size of Sheffield Wednesday. I have been asked if I would consider moving to a new stadium and my answer is always the same. Right now, we do our best with our home of Hillsborough, in which I have invested significant sums since buying Sheffield Wednesday. I am very aware of our heritage and the esteem in which our fans hold Hillsborough and this is something we will balance with the merits of moving in future years after we get to the Premier League. I do not like to look too far ahead, we can only focus on one season at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Lestrade Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Fair comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRADDO Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Sounds to me that he plans to leave Hillsborough for a new stadium if we can establish ourselves in the prem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plonk Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Very reasonable comments again. I do like the way he has taken this on, despite having already answered the questions before. We may not be seeing results short term but I honestly believe these plans will work long term for the benefit of the club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Fair enough. 10,000 words. But it's the second last sentence will be the ones that leads this thread to 40 pages plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRADDO Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 3 minutes ago, Lord Snooty said: Fair enough. 10,000 words. But it's the second last sentence will be the ones that leads this thread to 40 pages plus Oh, absolutely. I think it's evident what his plans are should we gain promotion and stay there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiJ Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Nothing overly contentious there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiJ Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Just now, BRADDO said: Oh, absolutely. I think it's evident what his plans are should we gain promotion and stay there Well, it is evident if you’re jumping to conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 basically confirmed a new stadium if we become a established premierleague team. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Theboylangers Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) 28 minutes ago, ANDY said: whilst reducing some lines in price. Which lines have been reduced in price? Anyone know? Genuine question, rarely see prices going down anywhere, never mind a football club. Edited November 15, 2017 by Theboylangers Grammar Police edit. Missed the full stop. FFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Daz Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I read it as, "if the fans want to stay at Hillsborough, then we will stay at Hillsborough" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoop Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Yes Sounds like he has plans to move away from Hillsborough This imo would be brilliant. I love Hillsborough, but new stadia if done properly (Emirates, Etihad) are excellent places to watch football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northeastowl Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 To me that reads as we will make do with what we have for now but a move is likely. Which isn’t such a bad thing as it confirms his long term commitment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoop Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 A move to the north east of the city would be my choice Mainly because that’s where I live Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofbert2 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 How much are flights to Bangkok if you book well in advance? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebowl Yell Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 (edited) Fantastic stuff. We are going places. When we get to the Premier league at the end of this season and the scrubbers fall away to mid table mediocrity Chansiri will announce a new 60,000 seater stadium and this city will be truly ours. The future is bright, the future's blue and white UTO Edited November 15, 2017 by Rebowl Yell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiJ Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 24 minutes ago, northeastowl said: To me that reads as we will make do with what we have for now but a move is likely. Which isn’t such a bad thing as it confirms his long term commitment. That's pretty much how I read it. Non-commital, see what happens type response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulva Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 The Wednesday beer is excellent. Suspect it's just another Thornbridge beer with our badge on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mrbluesky Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Would like to see Hillsborough redeveloped,it`s all to easy for the `flat pack dream` ,keeps it a traditional stadium with a modern twist as LS showed us. Not to much depth on the `naming rights` so can`t be any money in it, but I have stated before that restrictions are in place since the Man C debacle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Batman Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 No plans to move, don't look that far ahead... Within a couple of posts - he's planning to move to a new stadium once we're in the Prem. Won't be long before it's become - "he promised us a move to a new stadium". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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