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Counties ‘café plan’ to get spectators in sooner.
Elizabeth Ammon.
The Times
Tuesday, 16 March 2021.
Tuesday, 16 March 2021.
PTG 3450-17111.
A number of counties are set to open up bars and cafés within their grounds in an attempt to allow a limited number of members to watch early-season County Championship matches before the official return of crowds in mid-May. The new season begins on April 8 and the UK government’s strategy for the removal of Covid-19 restrictions will allow cafés and bars to open for outside hospitality from April 12, along with non-essential retail outlets and theme parks. However, the plan does not allow for any spectators at sporting events before May 17, when the County Championship will be into its seventh week.
Cricket officials believe, however, that it will be possible for counties with the right facilities to open up cafés or bars within their grounds, with outside tables serving food and drink. These could be booked by members on the days that the counties are playing a first-class match at the ground and this, it is felt, could be one way of rewarding the loyalty shown by county members, most of whom did not ask for refunds on their annual memberships in 2020 despite being unable to attend matches all season.
Apart from a couple of small pilot events, all county cricket was played behind closed doors in 2020, although Surrey did open up their roof terrace bar as a members’ bar, in line with the guidance at the time, when their team were playing. This example has encouraged counties to do something similar for five weeks in April and May.
There is frustration among some county executives that cricket has not been included on the government’s list of pilot events for the return of crowds despite the feeling that counties could host some of their members safely. Officials at some of the larger counties had put together plans for a small number of members to be able to watch early-season cricket using lateral flow testing, vaccination passports and stringent social distancing measures.
These factors, combined with the age demographic of members, who are all likely to have had at least one vaccination by the start of the season, should make county cricket one of the safest sports to pilot the return of supporters.
I look forward to having a tea cake and a cup of tea sitting in the seats just in front ,and at the sides of the SIX restaurant!
ReplyDeleteSeriously there are several places within the Trent Bridge ground where a limited service of refreshments could be provided . We all know where they are . How about it Notts CCC?
It may not make any money but it will make some loyal fans happy .
If other Clubs with smaller grounds and facilities are considering this move ,then hopefully Notts could join in ?
If Lisa let’s members in she will have to pay Stewards!
ReplyDeleteI can’t see it happening at Trent Bridge.but there’s an element of clutching at straws and bending the rules in it anyhow.i think it’s a question of fingers crossed, hope for the best on 21 June...sorry
ReplyDeleteTotally with you on that !
DeleteIt is pretty clear now that the first time spectators are likely to be back at Trent Bridge in any numbers is the first match after17th May, when the roadmap potentially allows for limited crowds at sport events.
ReplyDeleteThis seems sensible.
I have decided to rejoin. will not ask for a refund if things go pear shaped, as unlike last year, I am going in with "eyes wide open", aware of the risk.
I do want to support the club and will probably sort it out next week, soon anyway.