Griffin Park Catering appears to have been a constant source of frustration to our supporters over some time and following the matter of price increases' having recently been brought to my attention I asked the Regional Operations Director of Azure, the contractors responsible for our catering to meet with me to urgently discuss those concerns.

The contract with Azure was a three year deal negotiated by my predecessors which is currently in its last year (Expiry 3oth June 2011). Whilst it would be easy for me to express an opinion as to the detail of that contract I was not present during its negotiation nor are those responsible still at the Club to be able to offer an explanation. However one of the areas of most concern is the apparent price rise this season without formal consultation with me or anyone else at the Club. Having now thoroughly reviewed the contract it is also apparent there is no contractual necessity for Azure to seek our authority to increase their prices; 'with effect from the commencement date the caterer shall: be responsible for the choice, variety, preparation and pricing of all meals and refreshments supplied'

I also expressed my concern regarding the quality of the food available and the widely held belief that some of the catering is pre prepared and reheated on a match day.

In response I was given an assurance by Azure that no food is pre cooked and re heated prior to sale, though in some cases burgers are cooked in the main kitchen on a match day and carried to kiosks where they are kept warm in a 'Bain Marie' prior to sale. Whilst Azure understand this might not offer the best possible quality of product it was felt this was the only solution due to the lack of cooking facilities within the various kiosks around the ground.

In relation to pricing Azure confirmed that they were not prepared to review or decrease their recent price increase though they did confirm that this was only the second time the prices had been increased in the four years they have been providing catering services to the Club and the increase had been carried out following a thorough review of competitors` price structures. Azure also confirmed that they had made a considerable financial investment in the improvements to the facilities in the main kitchen at Griffin Park in the initial stages of their contract. Once again I have expressed my opinion to Azure but doubt this will have any significant effect. I should also confirm that the Club receives no increase in revenue from these price increases.

The future of Catering at Griffin Park
Griffin Park will always be restricted by both its age and the general infrastructure which unfortunately results in significant restrictions to the ability to offer non match day and match day services to our supporters. Prior to the expiry of the current catering contract we should have a more definitive idea of the reality of Lionel Road and subsequent timescales which in itself will have the knock on effect of shaping the amount of available investment in Griffin Park and any improvements to Catering Kiosks around the ground. As I currently see it we have 3 realistic options; # 1 Continue with outsourcing Catering to a contractor albeit on different contract terms, #2 Take Catering in house with a Catering Manager to run and provide our own Food and Beverage service, #3 Take the management of the kiosks in house and employ a Catering Manager to outsource food and beverage delivery from a range of service providers at individual kiosks around the ground.

As we move towards the expiry of the current contract with Azure I can confirm we will review these and all possible options prior to agreeing the future direction of Griffin Park Catering.