The news first brokered on Monday by a poster on GMK that the premises at the Ricoh Arena, which currently contains the club shop and ticket office is up for rent has provoked some interesting talking points.
it's current location is handy for those arriving by car who can nip in and make their purchases and get out without facing any car park charges. It is also the first point of call for those who enter on foot from the Hen Lane area or the car parks around Rowley's Green and the nearest point for the City support who occupy the CT and Tesco Stands.
The new venue for the ticket office/club shop is proposed to be in the Main Stand where the staff offices were last season. Whilst, there is room for a bigger club shop, it's location has raised concerns regarding cross over and potiental flash points which could see the club's police bill increase.
The argument used by the Arena Safety Group at ACL for not having away supporters in scoreboard corner was that this meant that supporters would 'cross' each others paths and now it seems that this move would generate exactly this scenario.
Considering the furore over the incident after the Preston home game last season, the last thing the club wants is problems in this area before or after a game and added police/stewarding costs will mean that even less money for players will be available as it all comes out of the same SISU budget.
The advert for the site http://www.shopproperty.co.uk/Pdf/40000045574YCDP.pdf?id=c76f5fb7-8174-48cd-aac8-5405abbf says that the site is available for retail/bar/restuarant or leisure uses.
Currently, next door to the ticket office/shop is the Isle Of Capri casino. Like the Sky Blues, they pay rent to Arena Coventry Limited and would expect a say in who their neighbours are.
As well as the gambling aspect, the casino competes with the local area and the concourses inside the Ricoh Arena. Staff and management have spent a lot of time trying to attract supporters into the game before or after kick off.
Having relaxed the dress code, deals like meals for a tenner or pie and a pint for a fiver are aimed solely at supporters,so any bar or restaurant next door to them would severely hamper their ability to trade.
Then there is Singers Bistro and at the other end of the ground - Jimmy's Bar. Two more catering outlets to consider.
It's a difficult situation to say what is the best way forward but action needs to be taken to ensure that all those with a vested interest thrive.
it's current location is handy for those arriving by car who can nip in and make their purchases and get out without facing any car park charges. It is also the first point of call for those who enter on foot from the Hen Lane area or the car parks around Rowley's Green and the nearest point for the City support who occupy the CT and Tesco Stands.
The new venue for the ticket office/club shop is proposed to be in the Main Stand where the staff offices were last season. Whilst, there is room for a bigger club shop, it's location has raised concerns regarding cross over and potiental flash points which could see the club's police bill increase.
The argument used by the Arena Safety Group at ACL for not having away supporters in scoreboard corner was that this meant that supporters would 'cross' each others paths and now it seems that this move would generate exactly this scenario.
Considering the furore over the incident after the Preston home game last season, the last thing the club wants is problems in this area before or after a game and added police/stewarding costs will mean that even less money for players will be available as it all comes out of the same SISU budget.
The advert for the site http://www.shopproperty.co.uk/Pdf/40000045574YCDP.pdf?id=c76f5fb7-8174-48cd-aac8-5405abbf says that the site is available for retail/bar/restuarant or leisure uses.
Currently, next door to the ticket office/shop is the Isle Of Capri casino. Like the Sky Blues, they pay rent to Arena Coventry Limited and would expect a say in who their neighbours are.
As well as the gambling aspect, the casino competes with the local area and the concourses inside the Ricoh Arena. Staff and management have spent a lot of time trying to attract supporters into the game before or after kick off.
Having relaxed the dress code, deals like meals for a tenner or pie and a pint for a fiver are aimed solely at supporters,so any bar or restaurant next door to them would severely hamper their ability to trade.
Then there is Singers Bistro and at the other end of the ground - Jimmy's Bar. Two more catering outlets to consider.
It's a difficult situation to say what is the best way forward but action needs to be taken to ensure that all those with a vested interest thrive.