SOL expansion

[Hank Scorpio]

I think it's very difficult to quantify the benefit of discounted or concessionary tickets. In fact, there's a valid argument that it promotes negative sentiment with those paying full price.

In the past, it was widely accepted that anyone who wanted to go to the match would go, regardless (within reason) of ticket cost. I recall in the Ellis Short era, ticket offers didn't really produce any significant uptick in attendance numbers. This season has demonstrated that we can fill the ground without additional concessions, but with a greater focus on fair pricing for all. Personally, I wouldn't expect the extension to happen unless the club are confident that the proportional revenue it produces will be on par with the rest of the stadium, or even greater through hospitality.

The policy was actually detrimental to the club. Not only did the amount of cheap tickets cheapen the experience but people packed in season tickets because they thought they could get these cheap tickets easily.

If we do extend then the club need to be confident they can fill the stadium at the current ticket prices.

Blyth said they had already decided to extend the East Stand, detailed plans agreed iirc.

The East Stand redevelopment was always about improving the facilities and corporate offering. Unless something has changed mate, I was under the impression the work wouldn't really increase the capacity by much (maybe 2,000).

It’s interesting if the club have changed those plans mind. I would have thought the South Stand would be the logically extension to greatly increase capacity.

Plus I’m under the impression the club are keen to take advantages of the new sheepfolds development and therefore the South Stand would be first?

 

[Grimes]

Don’t think so. I doubt we’ll hear anything until season has finished.

I think that would have been done or trialed by now. Doesn’t look like they are willing. I agree tho.

They let smokers out of the premier concourse or school cafeteria bit (forgot the name) I’ve watched them out the window at half time in the PC

 

[Hank Scorpio]

What you're saying makes sense, but Blyth is an in the know iirc and he's seen the East Stand plans. They start some September iirc.

I know they were unhappy about missing out on Taylor but to add a large number of seats to the East Stand is an interesting approach.

An East Stand redevelopment would potentially ease the pressure on the lower bowl concourses though.

I know I’m being greedy here but personally I’d prefer them to just improve the facilities/offering in the East and then make a huge home end in the South Stand.

Push the capacity to say 55,000.

 

[Brian Griffin]

If you are aiming for more match day revenue aside from corporate expansion you make the normal fan have a relaxing space to buy beers in the warmth before and during the game. A concourse is old school modern grounds don’t really have them they have areas, spaces, lounges etc. Fans go to the ground and drink before the match because its pleasant and because you can do it until 2.55 and still be in your seat for kick off.

I’m not sure the SOL can improve to do that. But it’s what modern grounds have. A slightly wider concourse isn’t the answer.

No need for the east stand car park or the space around Stokoe.

Should turn all that into gated zones

 

[Hank Scorpio]

No need for the east stand car park or the space around Stokoe.

Should turn all that into gated zones

The club don’t own it do they? Pretty sure it’s the HCA that own it.

 

[Skylon]

I know they were unhappy about missing out on Taylor but to add a large number of seats to the East Stand is an interesting approach.

An East Stand redevelopment would potentially ease the pressure on the lower bowl concourses though.

I know I’m being greedy here but personally I’d prefer them to just improve the facilities/offering in the East and then make a huge home end in the South Stand.

Push the capacity to say 55,000.

Them huge home ends dont really work in this country..Dont see the need for one. Its gonna be the east stand anyway

 

[Ned Land]

If you are aiming for more match day revenue aside from corporate expansion you make the normal fan have a relaxing space to buy beers in the warmth before and during the game. A concourse is old school modern grounds don’t really have them they have areas, spaces, lounges etc. Fans go to the ground and drink before the match because its pleasant and because you can do it until 2.55 and still be in your seat for kick off.

I’m not sure the SOL can improve to do that. But it’s what modern grounds have. A slightly wider concourse isn’t the answer.

Will the mark-up on beer really make a difference to our income?

If people want a more posh pre-match drink then they’ll go to the Hilton?

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Them huge home ends dont really work in this country..Dont see the need for one. Its gonna be the east stand anyway

So we are looking at what, an extra 8,000ish seats mate?

 

[OldNewtown]

The club don’t own it do they? Pretty sure it’s the HCA that own it.

I think that you are correct.
Of course the club will have a lease on the land but I've no idea for how long.

 

[Skylon]

So we are looking at what, an extra 8,000ish seats mate?

Nope. A couple of thousand with LOADS of corporate.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Nope. A couple of thousand with LOADS of corporate.

Ah that’s more in line with what I posted earlier I thought you meant they were going to chuck another tier on top.

 

[Skylon]

Ah that’s more in line with what I posted earlier I thought you meant they were going to chuck another tier on top.

They are putting another tier on i think.just with loads of corporate in it

 

[Hank Scorpio]

They are putting another tier on i think.just with loads of corporate in it

Purely for cosmetic reasons, I’d love for them to do something with the South Stand. It would be brilliant (even at its current size) with a new front - especially when crossing the bridge

 

[Skylon]

Purely for cosmetic reasons, I’d love for them to do something with the South Stand. It would be brilliant (even at its current size) with a new front - especially when crossing the bridge

I personally think the east stand would look better cosmetically. I would definitley do something with the south stand though,hoy a bit better cladding on or something. Make it look better walking over bridge

 

[Hank Scorpio]

I personally think the east stand would look better cosmetically. I would definitley do something with the south stand though,hoy a bit better cladding on or something. Make it look better walking over bridge

Thinking about it mate, I wonder if the East Stand stuff fixes the issue with the away enclosure.

It would not only provide the club with the opportunity to shift them to the NEC (which is the plan anyway) but it would mean there would be an extra 1,000 seats that could be sold in the North stand upper.

 

[Smiter]

I personally think the east stand would look better cosmetically. I would definitley do something with the south stand though,hoy a bit better cladding on or something. Make it look better walking over bridge

For me if we do the East Stand, I would 100% go standing across the south stand preferable with the rail seating, I would personally like to see them extend it right across to both corners also, and with expansion there will be enough alternative seats, for the SE corner especially who don’t stand to relocate.

I personally think the east stand would look better cosmetically. I would definitley do something with the south stand though,hoy a bit better cladding on or something. Make it look better walking over bridge

It would 100% look better overall cosmetically.

 

[Brixton]

For me if we do the East Stand, I would 100% go standing across the south stand preferable with the rail seating, I would personally like to see them extend it right across to both corners also, and with expansion there will be enough alternative seats, for the SE corner especially who don’t stand to relocate.


It would 100% look better overall cosmetically.

Will be too big if they do the east stand first - will add another 9k seats vs 5k if they do the south

 

[Smiter]

Will be too big if they do the east stand first - will add another 9k seats vs 5k if they do the south

There is a couple of options around lowering the overall increased capacity for home fans if they feel it would be too much, 1 is devoting more to corporate, and the other is giving away fans more tickets by giving them NW or expanded SE corner.

They do need to get them back in the lower seats in that tier also though, I really don’t think the missile issue would be one in the PL.

 

[Fletch]

Some posters would never have left Roker park like.

The usual “what if we have empty seats” “what if we get relegated” “there’s some spare hospitality seats not sold”

If we continue to think like that we’ll go nowhere.

Well said and it’s the small time mentality little old Sunderland etc that meant John hall took Newcastle to the next level and left us behind
Isn’t it the general admission tickets that are selling out instantly every match , for ordinary working people … and the higher priced hospitality n corporate that are struggling to shift ?

 

[Norfolk'n'chance]

While East Stand extension would cosmetically look better (overall) and increase capacity more than South Stand extension, if the intent is to create more corporate that seems a bit odd, as those are the only tickets we cant flog at the minute!

Also, Id love the South Stand to be done (and done a bit differently) as mentioned - one huge tier home/rail seat/standing home end would be special (and the walk from the bridge would look class)