Catering nothings changed

[DRFC-Hanksie]

When it comes to the tills, they need one person getting the food and drink and one person to stay on the till taking the money.

I've seen it done at other grounds (Reading is the only one I can think of from top of my head) and it works. The service wouldn't be half as bad if they did this imo.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

When it comes to the tills, they need one person getting the food and drink and one person to stay on the till taking the money.

I've seen it done at other grounds (Reading is the only one I can think of from top of my head) and it works. The service wouldn't be half as bad if they did this imo.

Or if they had people who knew what they were doing - it takes them 30 seconds to find the right button, 30 seconds to figure out the change then another 30 to count it - which they usually get wrong.  I know it's not a high wage etc so it's to be expected, but it's not that hard.

[Filo]

When it comes to the tills, they need one person getting the food and drink and one person to stay on the till taking the money.

I've seen it done at other grounds (Reading is the only one I can think of from top of my head) and it works. The service wouldn't be half as bad if they did this imo.

Or if they had people who knew what they were doing - it takes them 30 seconds to find the right button, 30 seconds to figure out the change then another 30 to count it - which they usually get wrong.  I know it's not a high wage etc so it's to be expected, but it's not that hard.

It is, to some of those it is a complex mathematical equation 😀

[silent majority]

Just been to kiosk in South Stand no steak pies, no sausage rolls no ketchup and wouldn't,  except a Scottish 10 pound note until I insisted he fetch his manager who said he could take it it, s sterling. WHAT A JOKE.

So, an hour after kick off and the back end of the half time break?

[PDS]

Could it be that the toilets aren't blocked but just struggle to cope with the volume of everyone having a pi$$ at once?

[silent majority]

Could it be that the toilets aren't blocked but just struggle to cope with the volume of everyone having a pi$$ at once?

No I don't think so. This morning the club have tried to replicate the issue by pouring gallons of water down the urinal and have had no issues at all. Strange that!

[Donnywolf]

When it comes to the tills, they need one person getting the food and drink and one person to stay on the till taking the money.

I've seen it done at other grounds (Reading is the only one I can think of from top of my head) and it works. The service wouldn't be half as bad if they did this imo.

Or if they had people who knew what they were doing - it takes them 30 seconds to find the right button, 30 seconds to figure out the change then another 30 to count it - which they usually get wrong.  I know it's not a high wage etc so it's to be expected, but it's not that hard.

Another problem with the low pay is that - and I am speculating - the Staff turnover must be massive

So every week the new lot have to learn the ropes. Has anyone noticed Staff that they have seen behind the Counter previously or regularly. I have not as they all seem to be different each week

[wing commander]

SM our fans/visiting fans are not moaning about this because they have nothing better to do...They are moaning because there are problems THAT KEEP OCCURING TIME AND TIME AGAIN.. maybe it would be better for someone at the club to actually monitor the situation on the concourses regarding catering and the toilets on match days before deciding we are all talking rubbish....

[roversdude]

SM our fans/visiting fans are not moaning about this because they have nothing better to do...They are moaning because there are problems THAT KEEP OCCURING TIME AND TIME AGAIN.. maybe it would be better for someone at the club to actually monitor the situation on the concourses regarding catering and the toilets on match days before deciding we are all talking rubbish....

And actually speak to punters/potential punters

Do Rovers make anything on match day sales or purely from Centreplate paying to run the outlets

[wesisback]

SM our fans/visiting fans are not moaning about this because they have nothing better to do...They are moaning because there are problems THAT KEEP OCCURING TIME AND TIME AGAIN.. maybe it would be better for someone at the club to actually monitor the situation on the concourses regarding catering and the toilets on match days before deciding we are all talking rubbish....

Its almost as if its an accusation that fans are lying about an overflowing piss trough which is absolutely ludicrous. Having not visited the KM yet this season I can't talk about whether it has been rectified or not but last season in the toilet Frosty was referring to it seemed to eternally be on the cusp of leaking over.
There's enough people employed by the club to have someone walking round the concourses and facilities with a clipboard and a phone camera taking photos and documenting actions needed to improve, that can then be handed out to the following areas to be rectified for the following match day.
It wouldn't work for Centreplate as there's more than enough people attempted and failed to try and get an improvement and unfortunately we're stuck with an obscenely long contract with them to boot. The only hope is that people abandon the service like they did at Gillingham and they throw in the towel.
On a seperate note I'd love to read these letters of praise for our food kiosks because they're either written by Mum of Centreplate or they don't exist.

[DannyRovers]

Not one to moan but when it was the challenge cup match I got 3 or 4 texts from my mates at the match telling me how crap the catering was at the Keepmoat. Clearly it still needs sorting.

[deebee]

SM for the record I went down to the south stand kiosk 5 mins before with my son who had travelled down from Perth with my 2 grandchildren who were also in attendance for this opening game.
After queuing for about 6 mins we were told no steak pies left so second choice for the kids was sausage rolls, no sausage rolls. They ended up with a poor excuse for chips but when they asked for
ketchup they were told sorry you will have to go to the other kiosk. When we tried to pay with a Scottish ten pound note  were told cannot be accepted after insisting they call a manager over the server was told it is legal currency and can be taken. By this time half time was over and I was that annoyed when we got back to our seats that's when I placed the post. It cannot be a coincidence
that every time I make a complaint on here instead of investigating it and backing the supporters (which I thought that is your position) you defend the club against all complaints.   

[silent majority]

deebee, this isn't the place to register complaints though is it? I did pick up your complaint as it happened and I have spoken to the club about it.  I've spent the last 20 years supporting football supporters and I could tell you lots of stories, and to suggest that I back the club every time is an odd one and I doubt very much if Gavin and the senior management team would agree given the grief they get from me.

However there comes a point where the constant criticism for no apparent reason, and the lack of acknowledgement of the progress this club has made is getting a bit weary.

[Brian Young]

When ever I've gone they always seem nervous like it's there  first day on the job . It can't be easy being asked to front up to pensioners and school age kids and taking extortionate amounts of money for tea or coke . Maybe there should be shutters with just enough of an gap at the bottom to hand over your cash or £5.10p as it always costs me ?

[Dagenham Rover]

When ever I've gone they always seem nervous like it's there  first day on the job . It can't be easy being asked to front up to pensioners and school age kids and taking extortionate amounts of money for tea or coke . Maybe there should be shutters with just enough of an gap at the bottom to hand over your cash or £5.10p as it always costs me ?

Your probably right Brian with the apparent turnover of staff it'll be new staff every game

[wesisback]

deebee, this isn't the place to register complaints though is it? I did pick up your complaint as it happened and I have spoken to the club about it.  I've spent the last 20 years supporting football supporters and I could tell you lots of stories, and to suggest that I back the club every time is an odd one and I doubt very much if Gavin and the senior management team would agree given the grief they get from me.

However there comes a point where the constant criticism for no apparent reason, and the lack of acknowledgement of the progress this club has made is getting a bit weary.

This is in no way a pop at you, nor the VSC. I don't think this is fixable at any fan level. I know you've worked with the club numerous times over catering and I had a little stint at it too for a short while. However there is nowhere to complain to because nobody seems to know how to fix these issues as 2/3/4/5 years on they still continue. Has the catering progressed? In areas yes it has but the core complaint of availability hasn't and speed of service they've not got a massive amount of cut through.
There is acknowledgement of the progress the club has made. In just about all areas there has been a marked improvement in the last five years which then begs the question why they've not managed to bottom the catering out.

[Dagenham Rover]

deebee, this isn't the place to register complaints though is it? I did pick up your complaint as it happened and I have spoken to the club about it.  I've spent the last 20 years supporting football supporters and I could tell you lots of stories, and to suggest that I back the club every time is an odd one and I doubt very much if Gavin and the senior management team would agree given the grief they get from me.

However there comes a point where the constant criticism for no apparent reason, and the lack of acknowledgement of the progress this club has made is getting a bit weary.

SM its the same complaints time after time, after time, after time, it appears that even the rugby supporters are coming out with the same sort of complaints that is not " constant criticism for no apparent reason"  its criticism for a reason because its the same week, after week, after week, possibly excepting the time a few years ago when centreplate put one  their more  senior guys prowling the South Stand when they appeared to be trying to improve things, remember  the tastings we got at the meet the owners? I don't think anything that was served up in the South was anything like what was served as a taster to which type of burger etc we preferred!  Interesting that at the very least one other club has pulled out of a centreplate contract cos they weren't delivering!!

To be honest I actually don't think anybody disputes the great strides the club have made in general but theres certain areas that just have not improved and show no sign of improving catering being the big one because it effects virtually  everybody  that walks through the gates whether they just fancy a quick coffee (and Ive had cold ones early on cos the staff havent bothered or dont know to pull some water off first) or a pie and a pint at half time (if theres any left )

[Geoff Blakesley]

For God's sake it's a football ground not a Michelin starred restaurant !! If you can't plan your day so you really have to fit in a pie at a football ground between 3 pm and 5 pm then you have issues !!

[NickDRFC]

For God's sake it's a football ground not a Michelin starred restaurant !! If you can't plan your day so you really have to fit in a pie at a football ground between 3 pm and 5 pm then you have issues !!

So why not do away with the concession stands then?

As long as there is a food and drink service, where the prices are high and he standards are low, you're going to get complaints and rightly so.

[Jonathan]

I don't get the logic behind the argument that you don't have to eat or buy a drink between 3-5pm so why bother complaining?! Of course you don't have to, you don't even have to go to the game or get out of bed! You don't have to do anything at all.

The thing is people want to. They want to go to the game, have a drink and a half decent bite to eat without queuing for an age or struggling to find anything acceptable. People want to spend their money and enjoy themselves. It's the whole point of leisure. If everyone had the same apathy towards the whole concept - that you should just satisfy yourself before and after the experience and not bother - then nothing would ever get very far.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think the post above sort of puts some perspective on things and the majority of punters will be served with what they want in a reasonable time however some, may miss out if a particular kiosk run out of stock.

What we get is a basic service from a firm that specialises in mass catering. They are fulfilling our basic requirement.

Their staff may be at Donny on a Saturday, Rotherham on a Tuesday etc etc. Centreplate provide continuity of service for food, refreshments and staff that smaller organisations would find more difficult to do consistently.

It will never be a Rolls Royce service, it will never provide a wide choice and they will always charge prices they think they can get away with.

In relative terms, they are fulfilling their obligation. As Wes and others, including me have tried, you can tinker a little bit but nothing will change drastically unless they fail miserably over a longer period.

I don't particularly like it or their attitude but it's big business and I'm not sure there are many realistic alternatives out there when you consider the logistics.

[roversdude]

SM I don't think (hope) no one is having a pop at you. You do a sterling job for a thankless task, and it is appreciated
I know where you are coming from with general comments, changes can only be made based on hard facts
Can we have an e mail address to register complaints, photos can then be sent to back up facility concerns

[wing commander]

deebee, this isn't the place to register complaints though is it? I did pick up your complaint as it happened and I have spoken to the club about it.  I've spent the last 20 years supporting football supporters and I could tell you lots of stories, and to suggest that I back the club every time is an odd one and I doubt very much if Gavin and the senior management team would agree given the grief they get from me.

However there comes a point where the constant criticism for no apparent reason, and the lack of acknowledgement of the progress this club has made is getting a bit weary.

     The club has made progress in many areas and there are a lot of people yourself included who take great credit for that I would never dispute that and thank you for it...However on this issue I am sorry but no progress has ever been made..Loads of us has addressed this issue directly with the club over the years..I have spoken to Gavin directly about it on more than one occasion and whilst you make think it's "for no apparent reason" others strongly disagree...The fact for me is that the service and quality on the concourses is far less than when the stadium opened and being front of house and that's not progress...I do accept the point above though,centreplate have no intention of ever doing anything other than the most basic of service you only have to speak to there employee's who will tell you that...I can remember once a couple of years ago when this issue was raised and the club gave out one of there famous "working closely to improve" statements and centreplate promised improvement..At the time I knew someone who worked for them and was asked to work a few hours extra for a few weeks until things died down...Within a month they had actually less staff on the concources than before..

[godlike1]

deebee, this isn't the place to register complaints though is it? I did pick up your complaint as it happened and I have spoken to the club about it.  I've spent the last 20 years supporting football supporters and I could tell you lots of stories, and to suggest that I back the club every time is an odd one and I doubt very much if Gavin and the senior management team would agree given the grief they get from me.

However there comes a point where the constant criticism for no apparent reason, and the lack of acknowledgement of the progress this club has made is getting a bit weary.

SM its the same complaints time after time, after time, after time, it appears that even the rugby supporters are coming out with the same sort of complaints that is not " constant criticism for no apparent reason"  its criticism for a reason because its the same week, after week, after week, possibly excepting the time a few years ago when centreplate put one  their more  senior guys prowling the South Stand when they appeared to be trying to improve things, remember  the tastings we got at the meet the owners? I don't think anything that was served up in the South was anything like what was served as a taster to which type of burger etc we preferred!  Interesting that at the very least one other club has pulled out of a centreplate contract cos they weren't delivering!!

To be honest I actually don't think anybody disputes the great strides the club have made in general but theres certain areas that just have not improved and show no sign of improving catering being the big one because it effects virtually  everybody  that walks through the gates whether they just fancy a quick coffee (and Ive had cold ones early on cos the staff havent bothered or dont know to pull some water off first) or a pie and a pint at half time (if theres any left )

I think its fair to say that Martin (allow willingly) is in a no win situation. He wants to support our complaints but if the club can provide evidence contrary to the evidence/comments received on here, it does not give much strength to our arguments.  we always say that football should not be dictated by the minority and although this debate makes it look like there is a problem it is a very blinkered thread.

I have always been left feeling as if we get the bare minimum from catering but the belle vue bar is well served and even with a long que you don't wait long. at half time I went for food due to not having time to have lunch with the kids before. I didnt have to wait long, they had no curry sauce but the meat pie was nice. My only bugbear is that £3 for a pucka pie thats about £1 in the local chippy is a complete rip off.

Based on that, if i was from the club, I would not be jumping up and down on top of centreplate. I think they need pushing to be more inventive and the donny deli is a way forward, however I do think they can go further e.g. the street food idea. This way they are going the extra mile which i think we would all like to see

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I don't think they are capable of going the extra mile for long as that extra care and attention eats in to their margins. 

Re Street food, I think we they are limited to anything they can warm up in an oven. May be wrong but I think that's why they've gone back to the rubbery oven chips!

[5minstogo]

The chips looked awful on Saturday but still people were buying them by the trayload.

I tend to buy a pie as soon as I get in the stadium. I'd rather have one at half time but a) don't want to queue for all half time and more and b) generally there is very little choice left.

Whatever happened to the "gourmet" burgers that were promised? Also I remember the pies being different to the standard Pukka pie. The curry one used to have cumin seeds on the top.

I'm in total agreement that Centreplate are doing the bare minimum to fulfil contractual obligations in the concourse and reaping the benefits. The only way that will change is through a total boycott which they know full well won't happen.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I don't blame them though. Someone signed a contract and that's what they work to.

[winegums]

The pies smelt like they were burning as you went in to the South stand

[wesisback]

Are they still doing the meal option in the BVB before kick off this season? I don't drink in there often but thought it was a decent idea even if what was being served needed distributing a little wider.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes Wes I think they are. Some of the offerings look very tasty. Not tried any of them yet as it's normally pie n peas for me.