By Mark Dingwall
The announcement that Elior have been appointed to serve up the nosh at Ibrox is a welcome break from the weekly reports about cold hot dogs.
Before we start rejoicing I want to make a suggestion. Have a trial run before you serve a meal or a pie.
When Levy took over their first few games were a face – no hot water in some kiosks, no cold water in others, no stock, no availability of pies, of Coke, of snacks. In short – a nightmare. So, here’s my crazy idea. It may cost a few bob – but have a trial run before you open. You never get a second chance to launch so get it right.
Go in with staff – make sure things work – is the plumbing on might be a good place to start. Is there stock in the fridges? Do the cookers and grill work. It might seem obvious but it simply isn’t happen last time we changed suppliers.
I am afraid that where the club is now that “trying our best” simply won’t cut it for the majority of fans. If you want to run an enterprise without the cloud of complaint firmly following you about then get it right on launch day.
As far as service goes – Elior will have to up their game from the last time they were in charge. Their service was hindered by virtually no presence at Ibrox outwith match days. The phone lines were somewhere in Cheshire as I recall – trying to organise an event was a nightmare – constantly changing staff, unavailability of your supposed contact, staff who had very obviously never set foot in Ibrox.
Levy started an obvious scam – they were supposedly an environmentally aware company – which in practice mean serving micro-dishes in small ramekins – tiny portions to you and me. They they introduced six-course menus – minute portions which then overloaded the kitchens and the supply of tableware. Hence I on more than one occasion had to enjoy my dessert at half time! They simply ran out of time to serve everyone.
Don’t be halfwits with price. In the news article announcing the return of Elior the club website gushed –
Rangers are extremely excited about Elior’s vision to enhance the fan experience at Ibrox and will be consulting with representatives from our season ticket holders and hospitality guests in due course as we seek to deliver an improved and enhanced offering.
Let’s be clear about this, this is a signal for prices to go up yet again out of all proportion to the inflation rate. These rises have not been fair they have exploited what I call “The Gerrard Effect” which gave the club such a massive boost in interest and season ticket sales.
It may be a vain call, but if Elior have a brain between them then take my advice – do a proper dry run with people in place and everything checked and keep prices as they are or else reduced.
Everyone expects to be over-charged at the football – it was ever thus. But the internet now provides fans with instant, constant and overwhelming sources of comparison. Charge fairly – it works out best in the long run.