I only go in the fans bar before a game to watch the warm up through the window, and use the bog where you can wash your hands in warm water. Yesterday the coffee guy wasn’t even there, and I know the Larry’s bar has been outed as well.
'Perkalicious,'[Coffee Guy],on Facebook said he is away in Asia on holiday for 'Watford Game' but said should be back for Leicester Game! Missed him on Saturday, got a Latte from the 'Beigel' stall in the Fans Bar...........Not Good!
I think we have to accept that while we may have around 27,000 seats, we simply don’t have the concourse space and bar facilities to cope with bigger crowds. And the way they are utilised are making a bad situation worse not better.
In Fans bar after the game the queues for first drink were I guess 20-30 deep and just did not move. We finally got served at 3.11. Could only get bottles of Peroni, so not even pouring pints. At 3.18 chatting to @mart77 queueing the bloke in the suit said he was to be the last one to be served at the furthest bar and he was shutting it. I asked why and he said because it was an early kick off. The game only finished less than 50 mins earlier and they’d already closed one of two bars!
So frustrating as if these things were run and organised better it so enhances people’s matchdays
And would make more profit!
There is every reason for it to be improved and very little reason for it not to be.
I think we have to accept that while we may have around 27,000 seats, we simply don’t have the concourse space and bar facilities to cope with bigger crowds. And the way they are utilised are making a bad situation worse not better.
In Fans bar after the game the queues for first drink were I guess 20-30 deep and just did not move. We finally got served at 3.11. Could only get bottles of Peroni, so not even pouring pints. At 3.18 chatting to @mart77 queueing the bloke in the suit said he was to be the last one to be served at the furthest bar and he was shutting it. I asked why and he said because it was an early kick off. The game only finished less than 50 mins earlier and they’d already closed one of two bars!
So frustrating as if these things were run and organised better it so enhances people’s matchdays
This really is the nub of the matter. If this is how staffing has to be in the fans bar they should probably let fewer people in. And what you say about space on the concourse is also true. It's just not big enough to serve that many people 🤷
Doesn't bother me that much overall as I will just go elsewhere (I can handle not having a drink for a couple of hours at the game 😜) but I totally appreciate that for people of limited mobility being able to use somewhere like fans bar is pretty important.
I think it’s been said already but just to reiterate this is simply lost revenue. There are fewer pubs near the ground now so the demand is increasing yet the club seem hell bent on actually driving customers away.
The most frustrating thing is that we all know how to solve it.
Even if there is a contract for the bars in place there must be clauses that deal with underperformance.
I think it’s been said already but just to reiterate this is simply lost revenue. There are fewer pubs near the ground now so the demand is increasing yet the club seem hell bent on actually driving customers away.
The most frustrating thing is that we all know how to solve it.
Even if there is a contract for the bars in place there must be clauses that deal with underperformance.
Totally agree, surely the club must realise that Gather & Garther are simply not providing any type of service. They have had ample opportunities to improve their performance, given the number of complaints made against their service over the years, but it goes from bad to worse. Surely someone in a Senior role at the club should be looking in to this as a matter of urgency.
It's worth noting that the club has done a lot of good work behind the scenes in the past season and a bit, but it is becoming evident that the subcontractors that are currently in place either do not share the same enthusiasm or do not have the capabilities to match the clubs expectations or needs
I'm not in any way denigrating bar work. I’ve done it albeit a lifetime ago and you have to have a few gears when it gets busy. But it isnt complicated work
A problem I've noticed over the last decade in the workplace is I am an outlier in terms of putting my foot up peoples arses when its needed. I'm not talking about bullying or screaming at people but I am talking about making people aware they need to be moving faster than they are and the abject shock on the faces of everyone that experiences that for the first time. If I'm being old school I might blame it on the lack of competetive sport kids play now or the idea that if you just dream big and ask the universe something amazing will happen. That last bit is only semi serious, I don't know what causes such a high proportion of that generation to move with the speed of a striking sloth in the workplace.
Besides that, nobody behind any of the ramps seems fussed about getting people served what they order in quick time so who is going to chivvy anyone along?
I think it’s been said already but just to reiterate this is simply lost revenue. There are fewer pubs near the ground now so the demand is increasing yet the club seem hell bent on actually driving customers away.
The most frustrating thing is that we all know how to solve it.
Even if there is a contract for the bars in place there must be clauses that deal with underperformance.
When I engaged with G&G last year they said they weren't able to respond to my question about KPIs. But if CAFC are not measuring customer satisfaction on a regular and consistent basis (to my knowledge) then it can't be a KPI. Begs the question what is?
Hi everyone. This is Alex here of Perkalicious the coffeebike in the fans bar. Thank you for the encouragement across facebook, here and other social media platforms it means a lot for me im so grateful fromthe bottom of my heart. Its not been easy as I am still awaiting an answer from Gather and Gather if I can trade going forward this season. It is very frustrating for me and my amazing customers at Charlton. I am on holiday with my family till Monday. I am still believing that I can trade somewhere in Charlton from the Leicester game onwards. I saw there is a coffee and bagel place (of which I have been told the coffee is absolutely horrendous!!!) in the fans bar and guess what!, I only found out from 1 of my wonderful customers. Gather and Gather didn't even tell me so its broken my heart!. But im not giving up. There must be a way I can trade at Charlton going forward. I am still very much in business as this is all I want to do as my coffee bike is my passion and dream business, and I hope and pray and believe that will be in Charlton. Will try keep you updated here but mainly on my instagram pagehttps://www.instagram.com/perkalicious.coffeebike?igsh=MXkxeXYzbXRodnZjag== so please follow that. Thank you.
I think it’s been said already but just to reiterate this is simply lost revenue. There are fewer pubs near the ground now so the demand is increasing yet the club seem hell bent on actually driving customers away.
The most frustrating thing is that we all know how to solve it.
Even if there is a contract for the bars in place there must be clauses that deal with underperformance.
When I engaged with G&G last year they said they weren't able to respond to my question about KPIs. But if CAFC are not measuring customer satisfaction on a regular and consistent basis (to my knowledge) then it can't be a KPI. Begs the question what is?
Begs the question why CAST haven't done a survey, mind you everyone knows it's terrible so there's not much point.
Hi everyone. This is Alex here of Perkalicious the coffeebike in the fans bar. Thank you for the encouragement across facebook, here and other social media platforms it means a lot for me im so grateful fromthe bottom of my heart. Its not been easy as I am still awaiting an answer from Gather and Gather if I can trade going forward this season. It is very frustrating for me and my amazing customers at Charlton. I am on holiday with my family till Monday. I am still believing that I can trade somewhere in Charlton from the Leicester game onwards. I saw there is a coffee and bagel place (of which I have been told the coffee is absolutely horrendous!!!) in the fans bar and guess what!, I only found out from 1 of my wonderful customers. Gather and Gather didn't even tell me so its broken my heart!. But im not giving up. There must be a way I can trade at Charlton going forward. I am still very much in business as this is all I want to do as my coffee bike is my passion and dream business, and I hope and pray and believe that will be in Charlton. Will try keep you updated here but mainly on my instagram pagehttps://www.instagram.com/perkalicious.coffeebike?igsh=MXkxeXYzbXRodnZjag== so please follow that. Thank you.
Presumably if you don't get back in the fans bar you can get a street license and trade from a cart? Not sure I can see the burger guy complaining really as coffee not his "bread and butter" as it were.
Managed to get my wife interested in attending last season by arriving early in the Fans Bar and having a superb coffee from 'Perkalicious',she also enjoyed the convivial atmosphere and even starting enjoying the football,[winning helped in 2nd half of last season].
On Saturday,the'Beigel' place had a long list of coffees' but only Latte available which was awful.....OK,not biggest issue I know but does detract from the experience.......From what 'Alexcarter23' says he is waiting for G&G to reply!
I will email sales@cafc.co.uk but with all the positivity with signings and refurbishment at the Valley,it just takes the shine off a bit!
I will hope to see 'Perkalicious' on Sat 23rd v Leicester
Managed to get my wife interested in attending last season by arriving early in the Fans Bar and having a superb coffee from 'Perkalicious',she also enjoyed the convivial atmosphere and even starting enjoying the football,[winning helped in 2nd half of last season].
On Saturday,the'Beigel' place had a long list of coffees' but only Latte available which was awful.....OK,not biggest issue I know but does detract from the experience.......From what 'Alexcarter23' says he is waiting for G&G to reply!
I will email sales@cafc.co.uk but with all the positivity with signings and refurbishment at the Valley,it just takes the shine off a bit!
I will hope to see 'Perkalicious' on Sat 23rd v Leicester
Thank you so much Charlton E18. This comment is so nice. Im trying to remain professional as possible towards Gather and Gather but its getting harder and harder. Amazing feedback like this makes me want to keep trading at Charlton more and more. I wish I could deal directly with Charlton football club but Gather and Gather are in charge of catering 😢. But i hope the Charlton owners/board see that fans like yourself want and deserve an amazing coffee from me.
The news that Crossbars won't be open tonight takes the biscuit...although there's nowhere to buy one !
WHY is this only being flagged up now when fans will invariably have made their plans to meet up tonight.
Checked the Latest News on the OS and at the very end of tonight's preview, there it is ....posted 2 hours ago.
So a " Biegel bar" ???) was in there on Saturday..Hmm no tea available 30 mins after opening and no announcement etc beforehand.
Perkalicious was sorely missed.
Sounds to me as though G & G don't communicate with Comms & Comms are slow to announce anyway.
Gavin !!!!!
Thank you so much. I would love nothing more than to be back in the fans bar from the Leicester game onwards.. I am not giving up. With all these morning games fans like yourself and others want an amazing coffee which i have provided since November 2023 in the fans bar. Keep putting the pressure on as Charlton will listen i believe!
Hi everyone. This is Alex here of Perkalicious the coffeebike in the fans bar. Thank you for the encouragement across facebook, here and other social media platforms it means a lot for me im so grateful fromthe bottom of my heart. Its not been easy as I am still awaiting an answer from Gather and Gather if I can trade going forward this season. It is very frustrating for me and my amazing customers at Charlton. I am on holiday with my family till Monday. I am still believing that I can trade somewhere in Charlton from the Leicester game onwards. I saw there is a coffee and bagel place (of which I have been told the coffee is absolutely horrendous!!!) in the fans bar and guess what!, I only found out from 1 of my wonderful customers. Gather and Gather didn't even tell me so its broken my heart!. But im not giving up. There must be a way I can trade at Charlton going forward. I am still very much in business as this is all I want to do as my coffee bike is my passion and dream business, and I hope and pray and believe that will be in Charlton. Will try keep you updated here but mainly on my instagram pagehttps://www.instagram.com/perkalicious.coffeebike?igsh=MXkxeXYzbXRodnZjag== so please follow that. Thank you.
Presumably if you don't get back in the fans bar you can get a street license and trade from a cart? Not sure I can see the burger guy complaining really as trusts but his "bread and butter" as it were.
Yes if I have to trade in another part of the stadium I can be flexible if Gather and Gather or the club allow me too
Hi everyone. This is Alex here of Perkalicious the coffeebike in the fans bar. Thank you for the encouragement across facebook, here and other social media platforms it means a lot for me im so grateful fromthe bottom of my heart. Its not been easy as I am still awaiting an answer from Gather and Gather if I can trade going forward this season. It is very frustrating for me and my amazing customers at Charlton. I am on holiday with my family till Monday. I am still believing that I can trade somewhere in Charlton from the Leicester game onwards. I saw there is a coffee and bagel place (of which I have been told the coffee is absolutely horrendous!!!) in the fans bar and guess what!, I only found out from 1 of my wonderful customers. Gather and Gather didn't even tell me so its broken my heart!. But im not giving up. There must be a way I can trade at Charlton going forward. I am still very much in business as this is all I want to do as my coffee bike is my passion and dream business, and I hope and pray and believe that will be in Charlton. Will try keep you updated here but mainly on my instagram pagehttps://www.instagram.com/perkalicious.coffeebike?igsh=MXkxeXYzbXRodnZjag== so please follow that. Thank you.
Presumably if you don't get back in the fans bar you can get a street license and trade from a cart? Not sure I can see the burger guy complaining really as trusts but his "bread and butter" as it were.
Yes if I have to trade in another part of the stadium I can be flexible if Gather and Gather or the club allow me too
Well I mean if you trade on the street outside neither of them get to say no 😜. I hope it all works out for you anyway mate 👍
Id be very surprised if most staff behind the bars aren’t on some sort of sedatives - I’d find it virtually impossible to be as slow as them - I use the fans bar occasionally but normally the one in the north upper slightly nearer the east stand - the girl serving me was barely alive unfortunately
Comments
There is every reason for it to be improved and very little reason for it not to be.
Doesn't bother me that much overall as I will just go elsewhere (I can handle not having a drink for a couple of hours at the game 😜) but I totally appreciate that for people of limited mobility being able to use somewhere like fans bar is pretty important.
Will soon whip em into shape
The Fan Zone and Bartram's will both be open for supporters to enjoy from 5pm. Please note the Meantime Fans' Bar will be closed on Tuesday.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/cup-preview-charlton-v-stevenage
Will try keep you updated here but mainly on my instagram pagehttps://www.instagram.com/perkalicious.coffeebike?igsh=MXkxeXYzbXRodnZjag== so please follow that. Thank you.
Keep emailing the club everyone, they will have to act if it can be shown how bad the contractors are. Sales@cafc.co.uk
WHY is this only being flagged up now when fans will invariably have made their plans to meet up tonight.
Checked the Latest News on the OS and at the very end of tonight's preview, there it is ....posted 2 hours ago.
So a " Biegel bar" ???) was in there on Saturday..Hmm no tea available 30 mins after opening and no announcement etc beforehand.
Perkalicious was sorely missed.
Sounds to me as though G & G don't communicate with Comms & Comms are slow to announce anyway.
Gavin !!!!!
On Saturday,the'Beigel' place had a long list of coffees' but only Latte available which was awful.....OK,not biggest issue I know but does detract from the experience.......From what 'Alexcarter23' says he is waiting for G&G to reply!
I will email sales@cafc.co.uk but with all the positivity with signings and refurbishment at the Valley,it just takes the shine off a bit!
Just want I want before a day of pints is a bagel 🤣