Record -breaking season commercially for Hibs

[Donegal Hibby]

Commercially its great to see the club doing so well after all the hard work that's been done .
Well done Hibs.
https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/record-breaking-season-commercially-for-hibs

[Ozyhibby]

Commercially its great to see the club doing so well after all the hard work that's been done .
Well done Hibs.
https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/record-breaking-season-commercially-for-hibs

The difference in this side of the club has been massive since Gordon arrived. Keep up the good work. Would have liked some figures with the article though.


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[Garymcl]

After experiencing the the hospitality recently it’s no wonder it’s doing well very impressed indeed going to book for my daughters 40th later in the season fun day for family of hibbys

[Mikey_1875]

Good news and no doubt an important part of RGs vision and legacy for the club. Don’t think we would have signed the likes of Vente and Youan without it. Hopefully we are now moving in the right direction on the football side and both can continue to grow.

[SHODAN]

Good stuff, let's see a record-breaking season resultially now.

[Seafield Scott]

Excellent news to hear. I know there were many detractors who at the time complained the money for the stadium mods/fit-outs should have been spent on the playing team but without solid commercial foundations we cannot truly grow. Good vision & leadership from the Gordon's is building a more solid club for us to progress and grow.

[tamig]

Gaunnae no keep putting apostrophes in Gordons please? 🙄

[Keith_M]

Would be nice if they used some of the money to finally re-open 'Behind The Goals'.

Admittedly it would need refurbished, and maybe a bit more thought into their products, but I think it would be a popular move.

[Lago]

Gaunnae no keep putting apostrophes in Gordons please? 🙄
Ah, the knowing how, and when to use the obsequious apostrophe :greengrin

[brianmc]

Gaunnae no keep putting apostrophes in Gordons please? 🙄

Good point, well made.

Just stick a tedious pun in there instead and most on here will cream themselves with excitement. 🙄

[WeeRussell]

Good point, well made.

Just stick a tedious pun in there instead and most on here will cream themselves with excitement. 🙄

Unnecessary attack on puns. Play on words, not the man.

[Since90+2]

Would be nice if they used some of the money to finally re-open 'Behind The Goals'.

Admittedly it would need refurbished, and maybe a bit more thought into their products, but I think it would be a popular move.

Definitely. Hopefully it's in the pipeline.

[w pilton hibby]

Would be nice if they used some of the money to finally re-open 'Behind The Goals'.

Admittedly it would need refurbished, and maybe a bit more thought into their products, but I think it would be a popular move.

If the pubs in the Leith Walk/Easter Road area can't keep going when they can open all day seven days a week I can't see Behind the Goals being a viable operation opening for periods of only 4 or 5 hours on a maximum of say thirty five days a year.

[WeeRussell]

If the pubs in the Leith Walk/Easter Road area can't keep going when they can open all day seven days a week I can't see Behind the Goals being a viable operation opening for periods of only 4 or 5 hours on a maximum of say thirty five days a year.

Why? They manage to run matchday bar services elsewhere in the ground.

[Hibernian Verse]

Why? They manage to run matchday bar services elsewhere in the ground.

The Albion Bar is a subscription bar.

Behind the goals would have to be as well, which I think it will be in time.

[Brightside]

Would be nice if they used some of the money to finally re-open 'Behind The Goals'.

Admittedly it would need refurbished, and maybe a bit more thought into their products, but I think it would be a popular move.

Its on the list.

[Brightside]

The Albion Bar is a subscription bar.

Behind the goals would have to be as well, which I think it will be in time.

Yep - if/when it opens it will be a member's bar.

[WeeRussell]

The Albion Bar is a subscription bar.

Behind the goals would have to be as well, which I think it will be in time.

I disagree. It might well be the best way to do BTG but wouldn’t have to be.

[Brightside]

I disagree. It might well be the best way to do BTG but wouldn’t have to be.

They wont do it for free.

[Hibernian Verse]

I disagree. It might well be the best way to do BTG but wouldn’t have to be.

Then it will lose money like it did before. For the Albion Bar, they have the same staff on all day doing drinks for hospitality as well so the cost is spread right across the board.

Stumbling blocks for BTG are;

- Cost of renovation
- Cost of staffing
- Cost of stock
- Electricity and water rates
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sectors)

So I'd argue it does have to be a subscription bar, as we are a business that needs to make a profit.

[HibsGW]

Then it will lose money like it did before. For the Albion Bar, they have the same staff on all day doing drinks for hospitality as well so the cost is spread right across the board.

Stumbling blocks for BTG are;

- Cost of renovation
- Cost of staffing
- Cost of stock
- Electricity and water rates
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sectors)

So I'd argue it does have to be a subscription bar, as we are a business that needs to make a profit.

If the alternative is leaving it shut altogether or having it open on matchdays and available for bookings, surely there’s more money in opening it? It only needs staffed when there’s matches or events on, can use agency workers when shifts are needed or whatever suits. I’m not getting why just leaving it shut altogether makes more sense?

[matty_f]

If the alternative is leaving it shut altogether or having it open on matchdays and available for bookings, surely there’s more money in opening it? It only needs staffed when there’s matches or events on, can use agency workers when shifts are needed or whatever suits. I’m not getting why just leaving it shut altogether makes more sense?

Would guts that’s only viable if it’s profitable while it’s open. If the cost of opening and running it outweighs the take at the bar then it’s not worth it.

I like the idea of the free entry to it, but given the success of the Albion Bar, i can’t see Hibs going for that option. It might be cheaper though, or a pay as you go rather than a membership.

[Hibernian Verse]

If the alternative is leaving it shut altogether or having it open on matchdays and available for bookings, surely there’s more money in opening it? It only needs staffed when there’s matches or events on, can use agency workers when shifts are needed or whatever suits. I’m not getting why just leaving it shut altogether makes more sense?

My point was it will need a subscription like the Albion Bar, the poster before me had suggested it doesn't need a sub.

[Hibs4185]

Incredible efforts by everyone involved.

Money has been spent on infrastructure which helps us build over the years AND money has been spent on the team.

The Gordon’s should be applauded for why they are doing:

They’ve also made key appointments with Brian McDermott who has steadied the ship and enabled us to get the buzz back with the signing of NM.

There is a good buzz just now and the main thing is to keep it up.

Also helps our neighbours are a laughing stock AGAIN with their Poundland hospitality and the shambles with naebadges

[grunt]

Unnecessary attack on puns. Play on words, not the man.
Unnecessary attack on pun's.

[hibee-boys]

With the success of the Albion Bar I wonder if they’re considering something along the same lines in the FF.

[Godsahibby]

With the success of the Albion Bar I wonder if they’re considering something along the same lines in the FF.

I saw something mentioned about this before and Ben Kensell being quoted (may have been from a shareholders meeting) that there are plans in place but funding would be dependent on 3rd place / group stage football.

[RyeSloan]

I saw something mentioned about this before and Ben Kensell being quoted (may have been from a shareholders meeting) that there are plans in place but funding would be dependent on 3rd place / group stage football.

Sure I read something slightly different in that they prioritised the pitch this year and the FF was next on the list for the coming close season.

Whatever they do I’m sure it will be a success, we certainly seem to have the vision and knowledge at the club to develop revenue generating facilities.

As for a BTG…I get reno costs will probably be significant (thanks to our previous CEO’s inability to maintain our stadium) but once there is a facility there I don’t understand how it would cost much to run on a match day.

Making it a simple bottle bar style operation wouldn’t need huge staffing and would allow a significant throughput of sales within the desired window.

Anyway as I said I’m sure the team at ER will know best and I’m hopeful we’ll hear of some plans on this regard soonish.

[Since90+2]

The Albion Bar is a subscription bar.

Behind the goals would have to be as well, which I think it will be in time.

Do Hearts not have a supporters bar that isn't members only?

[lyonhibs]

Wasn't there some sort of tie up in the FF with the NHS that resulted in lifts being shut for a while or something?

What is actually in those upstairs floors of the FF these days? Anything actually functional?

[Hibernian Verse]

Do Hearts not have a supporters bar that isn't members only?

Not sure but I wouldn't put it past them to fritter away money.

[SickBoy32]

As others have mentioned, a free to access bottle bar would be a good alternative to the current Albion Bar subscription offering IMO, whilst also being cheap to run with likely decent margins

[7Hero]

Then it will lose money like it did before. For the Albion Bar, they have the same staff on all day doing drinks for hospitality as well so the cost is spread right across the board.

Stumbling blocks for BTG are;

- Cost of renovation
- Cost of staffing
- Cost of stock
- Electricity and water rates
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sectors)

So I'd argue it does have to be a subscription bar, as we are a business that needs to make a profit.


Cost of staffing

- Cost of stock
-
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sector)

These are an issue for the caterer though, not hibs, the bars are the responsibilty of the caterer and if hibs want more bars open then the caterer will have to oblige.

[Since90+2]

Cost of staffing

- Cost of stock
-
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sector)

These are an issue for the caterer though, not hibs, the bars are the responsibilty of the caterer and if hibs want more bars open then the caterer will have to oblige.

They'd use agency staff for staffing.

Slightly seperate point but we use agency staff occasionally in my work and a girl previously told me Easter Road was the absolute worst place she'd ever worked. Said it was comically mismanaged in the concourses (she was American and didn't even know I was a Hibs fan so wasn't a point scoring jibe).

[.Sean.]

Wasn't there some sort of tie up in the FF with the NHS that resulted in lifts being shut for a while or something?

What is actually in those upstairs floors of the FF these days? Anything actually functional?
Pigeons.


Apparently :greengrin

[Centre Hawf]

Wasn't there some sort of tie up in the FF with the NHS that resulted in lifts being shut for a while or something?

What is actually in those upstairs floors of the FF these days? Anything actually functional?

From memory I think some things happen in there foundation wise I think? But I vaguely remember the chat was for it to ever open again on a bigger scale for customers getting food/drink it needed a fairly large scale refurb that would cost a fair whack. But considering the success of the new hospitality I can definitely see them looking into it in the near future.

[Hibernian Verse]

Cost of staffing

- Cost of stock
-
- Staff retention (a nightmare in part time sector)

These are an issue for the caterer though, not hibs, the bars are the responsibilty of the caterer and if hibs want more bars open then the caterer will have to oblige.

No, the caterer won't have to oblige as their contract won't include opening new bars at the will of the client. The caterer has to build in cost of stock, staff retention (agency or otherwise) etc etc into their margins so they are still valid problems for a free to enter bar open 25 times a year.

[Hibs4185]

Sure I read something slightly different in that they prioritised the pitch this year and the FF was next on the list for the coming close season.

Whatever they do I’m sure it will be a success, we certainly seem to have the vision and knowledge at the club to develop revenue generating facilities.

As for a BTG…I get reno costs will probably be significant (thanks to our previous CEO’s inability to maintain our stadium) but once there is a facility there I don’t understand how it would cost much to run on a match day.

Making it a simple bottle bar style operation wouldn’t need huge staffing and would allow a significant throughput of sales within the desired window.

Anyway as I said I’m sure the team at ER will know best and I’m hopeful we’ll hear of some plans on this regard soonish.

Get some Tottenham style pint pouring machines and have the speed of bottlles without bottles!

Surely 5-6 of them wouldn’t be a massive cost

[Since90+2]

No, the caterer won't have to oblige as their contract won't include opening new bars at the will of the client. The caterer has to build in cost of stock, staff retention (agency or otherwise) etc etc into their margins so they are still valid problems for a free to enter bar open 25 times a year.

Agency staff are not on a retained basis. That's the whole point.

[7Hero]

No, the caterer won't have to oblige as their contract won't include opening new bars at the will of the client. The caterer has to build in cost of stock, staff retention (agency or otherwise) etc etc into their margins so they are still valid problems for a free to enter bar open 25 times a year.

Ok worded wrongly on my part, legally they probably don't have to oblige, im not in sight of the contract, but in the interest of servicing their client and to retain future business i am sure they would be receptive to hibs requests.

Regards free to open i doubt it would be , The Albion has a waiting list and id hazard a guess that this would be the same model behind the goals with a membership fee for anyone interested.

[Hibbyradge]

Pigeons.


Apparently :greengrin

The seagulls ate all the pigeons.

[HoboHarry]

Do Hearts not have a supporters bar that isn't members only?
Christ imagine being in there listening to them? Sounds like a gorgie version of the Jean-Paul Sartre play Huis Clos.

[WeeRussell]

The seagulls ate all the pigeons.

I’m worrying about what you’ve got against birds.

[Since90+2]

Ok worded wrongly on my part, legally they probably don't have to oblige, im not in sight of the contract, but in the interest of servicing their client and to retain future business i am sure they would be receptive to hibs requests.

Regards free to open i doubt it would be , The Albion has a waiting list and id hazard a guess that this would be the same model behind the goals with a membership fee for anyone interested.

If they do, it seems a bit elitist to me.

Season tickets are already expensive and to enter any of the bars at ER it would only be if you have the means to afford access.

Probably correct commercially but personally doesn't sit right with me, especially as we are meant to be a community club.

[lyonhibs]

If they do, it seems a bit elitist to me.

Season tickets are already expensive and to enter any of the bars at ER it would only be if you have the means to afford access.

Probably correct commercially but personally doesn't sit right with me, especially as we are meant to be a community club.

I'm not sure if the provision free access to a suave selling alcohol is necessarily a cornerstone of a

[Since90+2]

I'm not sure if the provision free access to a suave selling alcohol is necessarily a cornerstone of a

It's a supporters bar. My opinion is that should be accessible to as many fans as possible, regardless of their ability to afford it.

Fair enough have one if they wish to maximize revenue, but both of them if it happens? Nah, not for me.

[Hibbyradge]

It's a supporters bar. My opinion is that should be accessible to as many fans as possible, regardless of their ability to afford it.

Fair enough have one if they wish to maximize revenue, but both of them if it happens? Nah, not for me.

Assuming Hibs don't want to make a loss by opening a free bar, would it be better to keep it shut or offer the service to people who are happy to pay for it?

[Since90+2]

Assuming Hibs don't want to make a loss by opening a free bar, would it be better to keep it shut or offer the service to people who are happy to pay for it?

They'd definitely make a loss if they made it a free bar. Would certainly be popular though.

[Hibbyradge]

They'd definitely make a loss if they made it a free bar. Would certainly be popular though.

😃

You know what I mean!

[Since90+2]

Assuming Hibs don't want to make a loss by opening a free bar, would it be better to keep it shut or offer the service to people who are happy to pay for it?

On a serious note, if Partick manage to have an open and accessible bar for their fans, I don't think it's beyond the realms of possiblity Hibs could do the same.

BTG was open for what, 15 years? If it was making a loss every season, it wouldn't have lasted more than a few at most.

[WeeRussell]

On a serious note, if Partick manage to have an open and accessible bar for their fans, I don't think it's beyond the realms of possiblity Hibs could do the same.

BTG was open for what, 15 years? If it was making a loss every season, it wouldn't have lasted more than a few at most.

👍 It wouldn’t make a loss. Some have just got that in their heads. Can argue it would do better by charging memberships, but the place would be packed every home game selling overpriced drinks and food.

Easter road opening another bar onsite isn’t the same as a pub struggling to stay busy enough to keep going as a personal business.

[Speedy]

How much is the Albion Bar membership?

[Criswell]

If BTG in the Famous Five is just lying empty now that is rather sad. Access to it on matchdays used to be promoted as another reason to buy a season ticket. Hope something can be done with what is still a prime asset.

[Ozyhibby]

If you have a members only bar, why would you open a free bar right next door? Doesn’t make sense? You would lose members?


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[Since90+2]

If you have a members only bar, why would you open a free bar right next door? Doesn’t make sense? You would lose members?


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I don't think they would.

Albion bar is done up to an exceptionally high standard, it's relatively small so there's not a long wait at the bar, and for fans in the West it's ideal. Some fans are happy to pay a premium for that.

I think it's catering to a different segment of the support who simply want a beer and possibly somewhere to take the kids before the game at the stadium itself rather than a pub around Leith.

BTG doesn't need to cost the earth with a refurbishment. Repainted with some Hibs memorabilia and artwork, new flooring and seating/ tables along with new screens and TVs. Add in running it competently and I'm sure it would be pretty busy for home games.

[Brooster]

Great news, Hibs are getting it right off the pitch and are turning things around on the pitch.

Work has already started on the FF, I know someone who was working on the heating etc. Whether that has stalled or not I'm not sure.

Can't see it being a free bar, not in this day and age.

[04Sauzee]

Commercially off the pitch and add in European prize money, league cup semi-final money with a potential final and league match day crowds currently looking healthy. All positive vibes.