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unbiased
08 Aug 22 21:18
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Date Joined: 04 Feb 03
| Topic/replies: 5,858 | Blogger: unbiased's blog
When a racegoer is faced with high cost of admission at high grade courses why should the prices of food and drink be higher than at the lower  grade courses.
  The catering staff are probably not paid  excessively higher rates of pay,so why should food and drink be proportionately that much more expensive.
   Is it that much more expensive to serve a pint at  Cheltenham,Ascot,Goodwood,than it is at Bath,Brighton,Hexham,or serve a burger.
  If you have already paid an inflated entrance fee,then refreshments should be reasonably priced.A pint of guiness,or bottle of peroni,shouldn't vary that much from course to course.and applies to a bowl of chips,or a burger etc.
   The response will be interesting,and no comparisons between restaurants and cafes as they don't charge admission!
Pause Switch to Standard View A THOUGHT RE COURSE ADMISSION, FOOD...
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Report unbiased August 9, 2022 12:31 PM BST
Pack of 12 x 1/2 litre bottles of water with sports caps so easy to drink without spilling it for £1.50 in Aldi,which is 12.5 pence a bottle.So if courses charged no more than £1 a time that certainly covers them and allows for the rubbish clearance too.
Report CagliariG August 9, 2022 1:05 PM BST
Quite simple unbiased,a burger vendor or ice cream van for example might be charged £200 to stand at your Hexam' etc,double or triple that for the same concessions at premium fixtures,how else are they to cover their costs and make a profit? Btw no idea of actual cost these days but the reasons are the same regardless.The RP did a survey across a lot of courses comparing the costs of a pint and a burger,surprisingly there seemed to be little difference in prices although quality varied.
Report saddo August 9, 2022 1:16 PM BST
There is price fixing by the courses though, whatever enclosure you are in at Ponte a burger or chips or anything else is the same price at any of the food vans under different ownership.
Report CROPSICK August 9, 2022 1:17 PM BST
They must get plenty of sales to make it worthwhile paying for the concession.
Report CagliariG August 9, 2022 1:23 PM BST
Not as easy as it sounds cropsick,had several friends over the years who had concessions,they had to pay regardless of whether the sun shone or it pis$ed down with rain,plenty of times making a substantial loss,swings and roundabouts where good days maybe made up for the bad ones,Bookies ditto.
Report know all August 9, 2022 2:04 PM BST
think its a grand plus for a stand
Report longbridge August 9, 2022 3:39 PM BST
Same reason as prices anywhere - you charge what the market will stand.

Yes, maybe you could sell burgers for £2 at Cheltenham or champagne at Royal Ascot for £20 a bottle - but why would you if you know that you can have queues all day to pay five times that?
Report mrspock August 9, 2022 4:36 PM BST
Just one of the reasons this industry is slowly declining. If they made it reasonable for ordinary families to attend,people would flock to them; however,racecourses finances are pretty opaque;but selling spare land to property developers to put up apartment blocks overlooking the course is another 'revenue stream'.
Eventually,it'll end up like the USA.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 4:38 PM BST
All the excuses in the world won't change the fact that racecourse prices are a rip off and have been for many years now.
Report whatyoulookingat August 9, 2022 4:38 PM BST
not always the case but at cheltenham the coarse set the price on all
food outlets then take 20 per cent of all sales nice little earner
Report saddo August 9, 2022 4:44 PM BST
Reliant on the vendors to receipt all takings?
Report whatyoulookingat August 9, 2022 4:52 PM BST
yes thats how it works saddo notice every time i go to chelts everything goes
through the till
Report whatyoulookingat August 9, 2022 4:54 PM BST
yes saddo thats how it works its noticeable at chelts everthing through
the till
Report whatyoulookingat August 9, 2022 4:54 PM BST
yes saddo thats how it works its noticeable at chelts everthing through
the till
Report PompeyMike August 9, 2022 5:43 PM BST
Expensive day out with petrol, car parking, admission, food and drink in mostly uncomfortable surroundings.
Report jimnast August 9, 2022 5:55 PM BST
A big problem at the moment is some racecourses are card only most people don’t want that,some tracks don’t even allow cash on the gate.yes things are to expensive but they have been for a long time,the card only system is chasing people away as I stated in a printed letter in the racing post not long after the return of crowds after covid.
Report truehoncho August 9, 2022 5:58 PM BST
At Newmarket if you are a badge holder you can get a great meal for around £10 in the canteen. Top value.
Report Hibore August 9, 2022 6:03 PM BST
What is the point of moaning about this cost and that cost. It must be the going rate as it’s packed out every raceday.
Life is too short worrying about £1 here and £2 there. If you are then maybe a racetrack isn’t the place for you.
It’s not going to change unfortunately.
Report jimnast August 9, 2022 6:04 PM BST
I notice racing is blaming the forecast hard times ahead yet most other sports including the commonwealth games have attracted big crowds.
Report Hibore August 9, 2022 6:05 PM BST
Members at Cheltenham is amazing value at £450 and food is reduced in there as well.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 6:16 PM BST
dunno why you would drive there. traffic no fun, no sherbert and a massive pain getting out and driving home in the dark with the ump after doing your tonsils. and cant you go 3 hours without a rancid burger? i dont go racing for me tea. eat before or after or both and get something far better. and paying extra would not be a prob except for the fact it is utter sh1te. foul guinness in plastic? fizzy flavourless larger?

and part of the pleasure is going out local and having a look around. found a coupla nice battles in me time.

get the rattler, relax, a few sherberts some daft games and avalaff. you cant do that in a motor.
Report Manoleeds August 9, 2022 6:45 PM BST
Agree Mitolo but as the moment lots of Transpennine trains are cancelled which makes getting to Beverley  and Thirsk harder than under normal circumstances.York Ebor will have strikes on the Thursday and Friday.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 7:23 PM BST
such a shame our trains are so carp, and all sides are to blame. the difference on the continent is startling. you can go anywhere, anytime any country with no bother and few sherberst and good quality nosebag. the german ice trains are like mobile hotels and cheap. ours are just embarrassing.
Report barstool August 9, 2022 7:29 PM BST
The Granddaughter, aged 7 is up for a few to days so me and the mrs thought we might go with her and her dad to Blackpool Pleasure Beach until I discovered it would cost us £46 each just to get in and watch her on a few rides. No concessions whatsoever, you must pay to walk round and breathe the fresh air.

Sorry, not a racing matter, just an indicator of where we are in rip off Britain today.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 7:36 PM BST
i assume the 46 quid includes unlimited rides, but if you are only there for your grandaughter and not intent on sneaking onto any rides its a bit of a liberty indeed. wonder how many they lose because of this.

pity youd have to go to blackpool. a steaming sh1thole. southport pleasureland closing down was a great shame imo
Report SlippyBlue August 9, 2022 7:37 PM BST
"... couple of nice battles in me time."

Nobody, absolutely nobody from London calls pubs " battles".
How odd that you do.
Report know all August 9, 2022 7:43 PM BST
rip off britain , pickering steam train to whitby and back  2 x 43 each they let 2 kids go for 1 each in the summer or its 110 family of four, if you like steam trains you can on the platforms for free , it was half empty the train, with 150 stood on the platform watching for free, supposed to be a charity running it
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 7:56 PM BST
i aint from london. i find daft slang mildly amusing and use it liberally. you are wrong; i used to know 2 who did.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 8:15 PM BST
I wondered what  "battles" was supposed to mean.
Report SlippyBlue August 9, 2022 8:21 PM BST
Sparrow, battle cruiser = boozer.

I think I heard it in a Minder episode once back in the 80's.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 8:27 PM BST
I'm an old East Ender slippy and I've never heard it before!
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 8:29 PM BST
Rub a Dub is Cockney Rhyming slang for Pub.
Report SlippyBlue August 9, 2022 8:30 PM BST
Mitolo and his mates use it all the time apparently.

Mischief
Report SlippyBlue August 9, 2022 8:30 PM BST
Yes, 'rub a dub' indeed.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 8:33 PM BST
i suspect it long pre-dates minder, although i dont know. and wont bother googling it as thats what everyone does. happy to be wrong, but thats not important.

we, as in my equally stupid chums have a boatload of these terms adopted not just from london but ireland and liverpool. some is unrepeatable but its all cobblers but occasinally useful to befuddle an unwlecome intruder.

one of the few times it was useful was when someone in front of me said; string on your haystack. i didnt turn round. its harmless and daft.
Report SlippyBlue August 9, 2022 8:41 PM BST
I'm just joshing with you Mitolo, speaking cockney slang can be useful if you don't want others to know what you're talking about. I've used it since I was a kid. Also my parents taught me some Gaelic and I used that as well when the occasion warranted it.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 8:43 PM BST
and talking of east end, the battle i first heard it was the albion lauriston road. both long dead
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 8:47 PM BST
luv an anthony meself bluey. feel free and never apologise. i will not burst into tears or try to get anyone banned, unlike some small-minded wanchors on ear.

irish is all very well but you need another gaeilgeoir to make it useful. ive listened to it in the west and its impenetrable.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 8:57 PM BST
mitolo 09 Aug 22 20:43 
and talking of east end, the battle i first heard it was the albion lauriston road. both long dead





I lived minutes away from the Albion in Lauriston Road Hackney.  Well Street was where I was brought up.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 9:03 PM BST
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Report mitolo August 9, 2022 9:14 PM BST
i was an even bigger idiot then than i am now ( i know) in them parts 25 years ago. the albion was the best for a lock-in, followed by sunday night in the top o the morning. if i remember rightly the gun? had jack the rippers, in the pub least likely to have them, given how small it was. the penshurst another good for a lock in, although i bet thats gone. eventually we moved on to the dove, which was a bit poncy, but served decent sherbert.

strange days indeed.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 9:20 PM BST
yes indeed. i spent 5 years in there, and i aint joking. ron was ok but the rest of em... i had to get someone to show me that, btw, as i is too fick to use the other forum. what was the name of the posh gaff round the corner? small. with wood panels? cindy was rhe barmaid, and quite fit. that was the munday club. began with s.
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 9:22 PM BST
The Gun was in Well Street Market a matter of minutes away and close by to another pub The Bruswick. The Penshurst Arms also nearby close to Well Street Common.

https://pubwiki.co.uk/LondonPubs/Hackney/PenshurstArms.shtml
Report sparrow August 9, 2022 9:22 PM BST
* The Brunswick.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 9:45 PM BST
you are hurting my tiny brain. will have to pass this on to my mate. the pub on the park. another one. the clarendon! thats the one i was thinling of.

bore alert; i wasin the **** tavern at 11 am, as you do when who should walk in but barry cryer. he had a half of bitter and 28 oily rags out the back. i had 10 million pints and bored him rigid. but fair play to bazzer. not many of the rest of em would seek out a battle pre-noon, before going on stage in the empire.

rip baz.
Report mitolo August 9, 2022 9:46 PM BST
^c0ck
Report sparrow August 10, 2022 8:24 AM BST
mitolo 09 Aug 22 21:45 
you are hurting my tiny brain. will have to pass this on to my mate. the pub on the park. another one. the clarendon! thats the one i was thinling of.

bore alert; i wasin the **** tavern at 11 am, as you do when who should walk in but barry cryer. he had a half of bitter and 28 oily rags out the back. i had 10 million pints and bored him rigid. but fair play to bazzer. not many of the rest of em would seek out a battle pre-noon, before going on stage in the empire.

rip baz.







The Clarendon Arms was in Balcorne Street Hackney in the next street to where I was brought up and I also lived for a short time in Balcorne Street itself with a landlady who also took in acts appearing at the Hackney Empire at the time.
Report jimnast August 10, 2022 12:15 PM BST
Excellent article in todays post by lola Katz roberts
Report wasnot August 10, 2022 1:32 PM BST
I wouldn't mind paying a bit extra for food if it was edible.  I literally wouldn't give most racecourse food to my dog.  Its not just racing, I made the mistake of buying food at the NEC at the Commonwealth Games and it ended up in the bin.
Report mitolo August 10, 2022 1:58 PM BST
clarendon now flats. depressing. developers a bleeding menace and shouldnt get permission.

anyway, enough of my borefest. i dunno why anyone goes racing wanting to sample the nosebag on-the-go. standing in public munching away is vulgar and unedifying and is never likely to be a gourmet experience.

you are only there a couple of hours and it adds to the day if you find somewhere nice for a nibble or a sherbert. and you put money into the local economy. although i dont recommend this at aintree.
Report CROPSICK August 10, 2022 3:39 PM BST
totally agree mitolo i always try to go somewhere local either before i go the track or afterwards.
Report irishone August 13, 2022 7:33 AM BST
Thats exactly what i do in ireland cropsick
We try to do that at cheltenham
But standards have long been detiorating as prices get higher . Good cause not to return.
Guinness is undrinkable , food is poor value, its overcrowded and rowdy now and mostly i dont even pay to get in ......
Report Life-Lucky August 13, 2022 8:04 AM BST
Some racecourses in the USA have free entry. Prairie Meadows for one.
Report Life-Lucky August 13, 2022 8:08 AM BST
I walked away from the ticket office at Wincanton a year or two back when they said card only. Cash is King, Cash is Freedom. AND they wanted £5 on top of the internet price for walk-ups. Vote with your feet
Report jimnast August 13, 2022 9:37 AM BST
Well done life lucky

Wincanton are part of jockey club who are doing there best to put people of going racing they have dug there heels in regarding card only ,many don’t want it , other racecourses tried it but are now going back to giving people a choice.

Even starbucks have reverted back to cash or card because they listened to there customers and thankfully many other businesses are doing the same.
Report GLASGOWCALLING August 13, 2022 10:23 AM BST
" Card Only "  ffs, what a way to put more people off going racing, just when more are needed or are they ??

   Its all very strange to me with decisions like this on top of outrageous food and drink prices, its almost as if

   those in charge couldnt give a toss if the public attend or not, or thats how it appears anyway.
Report workrider August 13, 2022 12:38 PM BST
Re Card only, maybe someone can help me with this , is it not a OFFENCE to refuse the Queens shilling or am I wrong, before some smart arse comes on I know we are now decimal..
Report Manoleeds August 13, 2022 1:12 PM BST
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/12946973/martin-lewis-shops-allowed-refuse-cash/
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