OXVOX Committee – Meeting with Oxford United
8th August 2002, The Kassam Stadium
Present: Nilu Kanani, Bill Smith, Neil Carter, Sally Lambert, Jon Moore
Signage:
This is in the hands of a signage company. There will be one illuminated sign, saying ‘Kassam Stadium – Home of Oxford United’, located on the brickwork above the Ticket Office. It has proved impossible to attach signs to the blue metal cladding on the stadium, for safety reasons. There will also be signs at ground level, directing access to parking, the stadium, conference facilities and the hotel. An application for planning permission should be submitted imminently. This should be considered at the planning meeting on 8th September, at which no problems are expected, and the signs should go up very shortly after.
Catering:
The club underestimated demand at the Under-17s matches, due to the unusually high proportion of people who turned up on the day, without booking in advance.
There is a problem with estimating demand for hot food in particular, as this fluctuates unpredictably, and the costs of wastage are high. The club are thinking creatively around the problem, and will be trialling new lines with longer shelf-life, such as Pot Noodles and Soup. They cannot produce chips due to the design of the catering outlets on the concourses.
The staff are provided by an agency, which means the club have little control over their level of training and efficiency.
The same outside caterer will be returning this season – he may bring more vans (up to 3) if demand is sufficient.
The lack of forks for the pies, litter bins, and shelving in the concourses are in hand. Also TVs in the concourses are on the club’s agenda.
OxVox raised the idea of vending machines (hot and cold drinks, chocolate) to ease the queues, but the rental costs for these may rule them out.
Chairs will be provided in the Exhibition Bar, also a table bar extension as at the rugby.
The hotel bar will also be open on matchdays, prices will be hotel prices, but there will not be a ban on club shirts.
Parking and Transport:
The car park extension is still waiting for the outcome of environmental and archaeological surveys by the council.
The changes to the road markings and signage in Grenoble Road were noted – these should help prevent confusion.
OxVox have approached the Science Area again. It was suggested that other clubs, e.g. Wycombe, who use private company car parks, could be approached for their experience of this.
The question of running buses from towns around Oxford was raised again. It was suggested that a trial be made, running a bus from Abingdon for a single game. Bill Smith would speak to Mick Brown about whether the London Road Club could help. OxVox to canvass opinion from members re demand and pricing.
AOB:
Permission was given for OxVox to approach two members of staff to speak to the AGM.
Bill Smith has a picture of Maurice Evans, which the club will be have framed to put in the Maurice Evans Lounge.
There are no plans to move the game on September 7th, as the England game is only a friendly.
There are no plans to mark the 40th anniversary of the club on August 18th – the feeling was that big celebrations should be saved for the 50th.
Around 2,500 season tickets had been sold, plus a number of boxes for the season.
OxVox enquired about David Oldfield’s role regarding youth coaching, and were told that an announcement would be made shortly.
Forthcoming meetings:
Details to be arranged