Stadium food

Shiggy said:
Tbh I’ve never really understood why anyone over the age of 12 feels the need to eat at the football. Eat before/after. Who goes to the footy for the food?

Could sympathise if you don’t have another time to eat either side of the match but apart from that I don’t get it.
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I suppose you could say the same about drinking alcohol too but lots of people enjoy it. Just different strokes for different folk
 
Tango1953 said:
Whether you understand why they do or not, people do, for a huge variety of reasons. As for who goes for the food, no-one, certainly not with the current Bloomfield Road offerings.

You don't go for the food, but having a tasty palatable option at the ground is useful for a wide range of people.

-Dads taking their kids to the game as part of a day out. They'd need to eat anyway, so somewhere convenient to do it at the ground if there's a good option would reduce the logistics of the day.
-People traveling from outside Blackpool, their day isn't as simple as leaving home at 2.30, walking to the ground, and being back by 5.15pm. They may leave their home at 12 and get back at 8, specifically to go to the ground to watch the game. Giving them a convenient food option would maybe give them one less stop off in their day.
-People on shift work who finish work just before the game starts, or start just after the game ends, can head straight to the ground, get their food, and watch the game.

I',m sure there's plenty of other demographics and routines I haven't considered. And that's quite aside from just getting people to want to go there because the food and drink options are worth it.
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As I said in my post it’s only really understandable for me if you’re struggling to eat either side of the match.

It’s just a personal opinion though, a pet peeve if you will.

Of course if people want to eat at the game that’s their choice.
 
DonCorleone said:
I was going to mention this. That pricing is some of the best I've seen anywhere these days let alone in a football ground. The club should be applauded for it (mandatory plastic cups notwithstanding).
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Didn’t know that, I usually get there just after 2.30, I’ll be earlier next time
 
If you view football as the thing you do from 12-6 on a Saturday, decent food will be part of your match day experience.

If it's 3-5 I doubt you care very much what did is available.

Football as an entertainment experience sounds be similar to a festival I suppose; if it's just the match - absolutely no need.

There's room for both I suppose, but tricky with our infrastructure.

Personally, I'm not bothered about eating in the ground but I never have been.
 
Critchknows said:
I think the food at the ground is pretty poor tbh. Pricing seems standard so no issue there just not great tasting grub I don't think. I did used to get something for me and my clan at the burger van at the north and then go sit down and watch the warm ups inside and buy a drink but since we are now banned I just don't bother at all with anything. Out of interest, why do they not just do portions of chips? They'd sell way more portions than those dodgy pies.
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It's strange re chips think the Cod's sell quite a number of portions. I've no problem with prices but choice of pie or hot dogs is hardly appealing.
 
It’s probably all to do with infrasthru ture rather than the clubs desire to sell more and better food. In the west, I can’t see there’s room for a kitchen behind the bars. To do chips for example, they’d need extraction, and I doubt they have that or can have it due to the layout.
 
They need to get a proper company in to do the whole thing kiosks, hospitality etc. The nobbers, this season, have just got Sodexo Live in for all their catering.

Take it out of Rowleys and the clubs hands because I doubt it will improve otherwise.
 
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TheLuker said:
Aren't there offerings in the various boxes and lounges from 1pm?

I guess, therefore, that you are referring to food and drink offerings on the concourses. So what offerings would get you in from 1pm? There's nothing whatsoever they could offer me to get me there before 2.30pm.
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In the Moretti you can have a free pie as part of your entry fee pre-match only
You can't buy one
After the match starts crisps and nuts are your lot even if there are pies left 🤣
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
In the Moretti you can have a free pie as part of your entry fee pre-match only
You can't buy one
After the match starts crisps and nuts are your lot even if there are pies left 🤣
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That's bizarre

What about the Heineken lounge is there any offering in that bit?

If folk want a snack and a pint you would think these lounges would be perfect for it
 
TheLuker said:
That is ridiculous. It can't be hard for them to have a few extra pies to sell! The club has come a long way but still has some easy fixes they could do.
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Every single person who gains entry to the lounges is supposed to have a free pie for their tenner.
That's some pastry if you want to buy another.😲
 
pooljimbo said:
They need to get a proper company in to do the whole thing kiosks, hospitality etc. The nobbers, this season, have just got Sodexo Live in for all their catering.

Take it out of Rowleys and the clubs hands because I doubt it will improve otherwise.
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Yes and the knobheads I mean knobbers do nothing but complain about Sodexo so shit comparison
 
poolseasider said:
Every single person who gains entry to the lounges is supposed to have a free pie for their tenner.
That's some pastry if you want to buy another.😲
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To be honest I can't imagine wanting more than one but the point was made to me the other day that if you turned up say for a Tues night game straight from work starving you can only have your ' free pie ' and that's it
 
Leyland bfc said:
Yes and the knobheads I mean knobbers do nothing but complain about Sodexo so shit comparison
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Them fuckers will complain about anything.

It all depends on what the contract scope is, I doubt very much they’ll be paying top end. Plus it doesn’t necessarily have to be Sodexo, I used them as an example.

Our current offering is poor across the ground, contracting it out would be the best way to improve it in the short term imo.
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
To be honest I can't imagine wanting more than one but the point was made to me the other day that if you turned up say for a Tues night game straight from work starving you can only have your ' free pie ' and that's it
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I get that but would it make any sense to offer more?
You'd be better going in the Corner Flag first and then mooching over to one of the lounges.
 
JJpool said:
Yeah, it did close so I guess it had to have some issues, but those type of places seem pretty popular.

There's one on Bloomfield road isn't there does healthy stuff.

Probably never be as popular as the unhealthy ones, but seems a growing market.
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Healthy and expensive in blackpool will never ever work.
 
Shiggy said:
Tbh I’ve never really understood why anyone over the age of 12 feels the need to eat at the football. Eat before/after. Who goes to the footy for the food?

Could sympathise if you don’t have another time to eat either side of the match but apart from that I don’t get it.
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I feel the same, it’s nice to go out for a meal pre match or after a game, it makes for a good day out, eating in the middle of the day whilst at the match and potentially missing part of the game seems odd, unless the cuisine at the ground is so amazing and you really can’t miss out, in my experience It’s been pretty rank for the last 49 years but I may have missed the game when it was decent
 
Sven said:
They should do a fanzone with a couple of independent retailers and a bar. It doesn't have to be fancy like you get at City or West Ham. Wycombe away was alright, had a nice hotdog there, better than that rollover shite 👍

There's nowhere decent around the ground to get some food with a beer so we go to Abingdon Street Market and walk up later on. It wouldn't take much to get us to the ground an hour earlier and we'd spend our money there instead.
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The Club have shown they are willing to try some things, but internally for now it does depend of the facilities. The biryani I don't think was a huge hit, they had the macro's bar a while back in the South but I couldn't access it and I think it was more suited to the younger crowd in the north.

Some are happy with current offerings, some go elsewhere before the match. I'm sure it would be better for the club if even more spent in the ground.

Maybe the fanzone idea solves some of that and it'll be interesting to see what the new east brings, the only stand built and designed by SS, without Oyston small-time thinking.

Even just allowing the current crowd to be able to spend more would be beneficial, as some are put off by the queues etc at halftime.
 
Northstandsinger said:
Healthy and expensive in blackpool will never ever work.
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Well, places are doing better and 'healthier' food and doing well, and I wouldn't say that place on Bloomfield looks massively expensive. There is a market that type of stuff, with the gym goers etc. Meal prep.

Many are a bit more conscious of what they eat these days.

There a lot of higher quality places now in Blackpool and there's more upmarket stuff, a bit like Abingdon street market. Some might not all be the healthiest but it's certainly a few levels above a greasy pizza or some other shite from one of those type of places.

I wouldn’t call munch box healthy on Whitegate drive. Although it's levels above a bog standard crappy takeaway and that absolutely flys that stuff and that isn't cheap but is definitely worth it.
 
JJpool said:
Well, places are doing better and 'healthier' food and doing well, and I wouldn't say that place on Bloomfield looks massively expensive. There is a market that type of stuff, with the gym goers etc. Meal prep.

Many are a bit more conscious of what they eat these days.

There a lot of higher quality places now in Blackpool and there's more upmarket stuff, a bit like Abingdon street market. Some might not all be the healthiest but it's certainly a few levels above a greasy pizza or some other shite from one of those type of places.

I wouldn’t call munch box healthy on Whitegate drive. Although it's levels above a bog standard crappy takeaway and that absolutely flys that stuff and that isn't cheap but is definitely worth it.
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Abingdon street market and munch box are not healthy.
 
Northstandsinger said:
Abingdon street market and munch box are not healthy.
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With the Market it depends what you get. A neapolitan pizza done in a proper pizza oven with fresh ingredients from Italy is relatively healthy, the high heat locks in nutrients. Or a sub is far healthier than what some greasy takeaway serves.

As I've said the proper healthy places have a place, people are becoming more conscious, but clearly the unhealthier takeaways will always dominate for the foreseeable.

The more upmarket places opening do better food than was traditionally associated with Blackpool. Some might not be full on healthy but healthier, higher quality ingredients etc.
 
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Seasidedaz said:
Steve the food in the ground is quite simply woeful - pies, hot dogs, crisps and chocolate is pretty much it. Clubs at all levels up and down the country are doing food like this yet we cannot ( for what ever reason ) or will not do it. It’s been raised with the SLO numerous times and as per nothing ever happens or is fed (pardon the pun) back.
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A healthier food concession was introduced, but it went out of business and there wasn't a clamour to replace it. As for the food that is available, expect some 'meal deal' offers in the near future. There is also a fans survey in the pipeline, so a chance to feed back (that pun again) on the issue.
 
Dave62 said:
For some of these meals, it could be difficult to eat whilst standing in a busy concourse or at your seat (where to put the rubbish after). As posted already, perhaps in the lounge.

I've only had 1 steak pie this season (pies this season not great imo) whereas last season I liked the pasties and bought one almost every home game.

Rarely have a beer at the ground, but the Cruzcampo is quite good
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Those pasties were a winner last season👍
 
TwelveAngryMen said:
To be honest I can't imagine wanting more than one but the point was made to me the other day that if you turned up say for a Tues night game straight from work starving you can only have your ' free pie ' and that's it
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SLO_BFC said:
A healthier food concession was introduced, but it went out of business and there wasn't a clamour to replace it. As for the food that is available, expect some 'meal deal' offers in the near future. There is also a fans survey in the pipeline, so a chance to feed back (that pun again) on the issue.
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Hi Steve I get all that but we are meant to be a forward thinking progressive club and when you see what teams all the way up and all the way down the football pyramid are serving up we’re are lagging way behind. I cannot believe we do not have the capacity or the capability to produce the same level of good, tasty and varied food options other clubs do which suggests to me it’s a lack of desire on the clubs part which should be challenged. What will the ‘meal deal’ offers be - a pie, mars bar and a pint - after all that’s all we currently serve?
 
SLO_BFC said:
A healthier food concession was introduced, but it went out of business and there wasn't a clamour to replace it. As for the food that is available, expect some 'meal deal' offers in the near future. There is also a fans survey in the pipeline, so a chance to feed back (that pun again) on the issue.
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One of the issues is the price of chocolate and crisps and stuff for kids. You expect to pay a premium inside the ground, but it’s more than double what it is in the shops. It’s blatant profiteering. And parents are under pressure from the kids.
 
Tangerine Tractor said:
One of the issues is the price of chocolate and crisps and stuff for kids. You expect to pay a premium inside the ground, but it’s more than double what it is in the shops. It’s blatant profiteering. And parents are under pressure from the kids.
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What on earth are you on about?

Profiteering on chocolate!!!!

Did you seriously just write that?
 
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Tangerine Tractor said:
One of the issues is the price of chocolate and crisps and stuff for kids. You expect to pay a premium inside the ground, but it’s more than double what it is in the shops. It’s blatant profiteering. And parents are under pressure from the kids.
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Do you ever go anywhere apart from BR?

Cinema, attractions,kids play areas,parks,theatre, concert venues etc etc all have a high mark up on products you need to get out more, BFC ain't a charity.
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
What on earth are you on about?

Profiteering on chocolate!!!!

Did you seriously just write that?
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Every single entertainment venue of note will have a significant mark-up on shop prices for food and drink.

Not sure what this new fella to the BST committee, Tangerine Tractor, is bringing to the party with this sort of naive thinking.
 
TheLuker said:
Every single entertainment venue of note will have a significant mark-up on shop prices for food and drink.

Not sure what this new fella to the BST committee, Tangerine Tractor, is bringing to the party with this sort of naive thinking.
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Sounds just perfect for BST
 
TheLuker said:
Every single entertainment venue of note will have a significant mark-up on shop prices for food and drink.

Not sure what this new fella to the BST committee, Tangerine Tractor, is bringing to the party with this sort of naive thinking.
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He's well known on Twitter(X) even my son and his BFC mates who don't come on here think he's a demic.
 
Seasidedaz said:
Hi Steve I get all that but we are meant to be a forward thinking progressive club and when you see what teams all the way up and all the way down the football pyramid are serving up we’re are lagging way behind. I cannot believe we do not have the capacity or the capability to produce the same level of good, tasty and varied food options other clubs do which suggests to me it’s a lack of desire on the clubs part which should be challenged. What will the ‘meal deal’ offers be - a pie, mars bar and a pint - after all that’s all we currently serve?
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I don't think that anyone in the history of the town of Blackpool has ever come here for the quality of its food so why should the football club be expected to be any different?

Sounds to me like the club have got it spot on for its target audience by doing cheap pints of John Smiths and Cruzcampo before 2.30pm on a Saturday.
 
I've been to a few Euro games in recent seasons and the pre-match entertainment & catering is on another level.
For example AGF Aarhus in Denmark had fans inside the ground, in a sort of fanzone, a full 3 hours before kick off. Food & beer was both reasonably priced & of an excellent quality. Think quality hot dogs, loaded fries, nachos, burgers, KFC style chicken etc. Pus they had this beer machine thing that dispensed 12 beers at the push of a button, We got two ales and two monster dogs inside of 2 mins at half time for about £15.
The Club must have made thousands of £'s before, during & after the game.
If I was Saddler I'd sent some over there to check out how they do it and replicate it here.
 
TheLuker said:
I don't think that anyone in the history of the town of Blackpool has ever come here for the quality of its food so why should the football club be expected to be any different?

Sounds to me like the club have got it spot on for its target audience by doing cheap pints of John Smiths and Cruzcampo before 2.30pm on a Saturday.
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Could not disagree more, firstly not everyone drinks or drinks and thinks cheap pints of lager/bitter etc is the be all and end all. Secondly the fan base is wider and more diverse than lager etc drinkers and expect better quality and variety of food. It’s not about people who come to Blackpool not coning here for the quality of food- that is utter nonsense. It’s about a business with a customer base of circa 9k to 15k offering value for money for all its customer not those simply happy with a cheap pint of John Smiths!
 
Seasidedaz said:
Could not disagree more, firstly not everyone drinks or drinks and thinks cheap pints of lager/bitter etc is the be all and end all. Secondly the fan base is wider and more diverse than lager etc drinkers and expect better quality and variety of food. It’s not about people who come to Blackpool not coning here for the quality of food- that is utter nonsense. It’s about a business with a customer base of circa 9k to 15k offering value for money for all its customer not those simply happy with a cheap pint of John Smiths!
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I'm a Blackpool fan and my expectation is that the players and all behind the scenes try their best to be as competitive as they can be on the pitch. Thay, in a nutshell is it.

If, as you say, the fanbase expects better quality and wider variety of food thenwhy have the initiatives such as Macros health wraps and the biryianis failed?

And why should you get "value for money" from the food and beverage offerings? If i want value for money I buy at Lidl. I would never expect value for money from food and drink bought at an entertainment venue.

I hope to God that BST doesn't raise this nonsense with the club as they have enough on their plate and shouldn't be expected to be serving a variety of nutritious, tasty, value for money meals and beverages for the needy few.
 
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