Supporters Consultation Group Latest
Last updated : 08 August 2006 By Covsupport/SB
The Supporters Consultation Goup met yesterday.
Amongst the topics discussed were the Smart Card system which was used for the first time against Sunderland on Sunday; the club expect it to take six home matches for all issues to be resolved and for supporters plus stewards to know what happens & how the system works.
The system uses a 'white' list to determine who is allowed entry to the stadium and this wasn't downloaded until something like 11.45am, however, this didn't impact on too many supporters.
Everything was going well until 4 or 5 turnstiles stopped working. The cause of these is yet to be established but it's thought that some were due to mechanical issues (faulty coils at the top of the turnstile) and well as possible software/hardware issues with the new system. At 1pm, there were major problems behind the CET stand, many supporters were queueing at the first turnstile they came across when in fact there were others a bit further down that were available. These queues caused a backing up effect which affected the traffic into the ricoh on the A444. The safety officer made the decision to open the gates and get people into the stadium, with a suggestion that half
of the home support entering the stadium in this way.
The attendance figure given was therefore based primarily on ticket sales. There will eventually be stewards inside the ground watching lights as people enter to ensure that they've entered with the correct ticket.
Season ticket numbers were not significantly up on last year, revenue was with it being 7.8% better than this time last year. The new pitch boards have ensured that over 200 advertising spaces have been against 130 last year, and all the executive boxes have now been sold. The club have kept 2 of these for the away corporate scheme which they are trialling.
The retail side is ahead of target with approx £1.4million of turnover - Ken Sharp told the meeting that back at Highfield Road in 1992 the turnover was £150k!! The club have sold over 3,700 new shirts with the supplies of M, L & XL shirts running out on Sunday. This level is significantly higher than this timelast season and the kit launch was considered a success with minimal complaints, one of which was to do with queueing times.
The away loyalty scheme which worked perfectly well for the last five seasons has been revamped and details of a new scheme will be issued. Mark Davis has taken over responsibility for the ticket offices.
Mark Davis in his new role is looking at the West Orchards ticket outlet and has already tackled the issue of people not being able to buy a ticket when the lady in the ticket booth goes for a lunch break. He has had issues with some season tickets going missing in the post (a figure of 400 was
mentioned) and he's also changed the on-line booking system that was linked to the old system provider who is no longer in place. Overall Mark is looking at reducing the volume that the ticket office has to deal with.
Discussions are underway with Travel Coventry to introduce a Saturday service for the No 36 route that goes to the Ricoh on a Monday to Friday but not on a Saturday, Coventry City Council will be reviewing The Green Travel Plan in December.
The steward pay rise is being looked into with Ken Sharp saying:" This was still to be done but he would be doing this."
