London Stadium caterers Delaware North came under renewed criticism over the price and quality of their food and drink being offered.
One Sheffield United fan took to social media to complain about playing £9.10 for fives small pieces of chicken, some BBQ sauce with a soft drink (pictured right) saying it was a rip-off.
He isn’t alone with West Ham fans equally fed up with prices, quality and availability despite promises to improve.
A pint of Iron Ale costs £6 on Saturday at a cash-only mobile stall while a chilli Hot Dog costs a whooping £7.50 at a street food mobile cart on the West stand concourse.
A pint of Amstel rose from £5.15 last season to £5.20 this season after a trial of £5 per pint for one game failed to show any extra revenue for the catering company.
Catering in part of the West stand concourse which is landlocked by the away fans and corporate hospitality are poor relations when it comes to catering, they regularly suffer from lack of choice for food and drink, long queues or often run of food like pies all together during half time.
American company Delaware North hold a 25-year contract for catering at the London Stadium with West Ham receiving next to nothing from a profit share agreement.
The contract awarded by London Stadium 185 now part of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) is seen by many as poor value for money for the taxpayer as well as those visiting the stadium.
I sympathize with the Sheffield United supporter regarding the cost, quantity and variety of the food and drink at the London Stadium. It was the same at Upton Park, a complete rip off. When I attended my first meeting of the old SAB at Upton Park, as I was driving, I bought a cup of tea at the bar next to reception. I was charged £1.50. In the Lower Bobby Moore stand it was £2.40 for a tea. At the meeting I asked why there was 90p difference in the price of a cupper. I was told it was the outside caterers that were charging the extra. The same thing happens at the London Stadium. £1.85 in the store cafe, £2.40 everywhere else. One of the retail food outlets on the outside of the stadium is charging £9 for fish and chips. I expect to pay that price in a pub restaurant, but not at outside kiosk. The trouble is, its just one company running and monopolizing the sale food and drink at the London Stadium, Delaware. Which I believe is wrong. More competition creates lower prices, more variety and better quality, which one company doesn’t provide. What amazes me is, fans still continue to pay the extortionate prices being asked. Myself, I may have £1.85 cupper in the store cafe and eat elsewhere.
They charge what the market will bare. So the only real option to reduce these over the top prices is to boycott these caterers.
Once beer & hot dogs go unsold they will have to reduce prices.
We walked into the ground to have a pint but at £6 we walked away . We could get a pint in Westfield for £4 a pint. Who lost out!
It’s always been a rip off and despite promises from the Club neither the quality or value for money has improved. Equally, the OSB meeting Delaware North has not led to any improvements. Just eat and drink elsewhere and they’ll soon get the message!
At the Sheffield game I bought a small bottle of coke and a small bottle of fanta and it cost me £7.
We could not afford to be hungry !!!!
I’ve long stopped buying food in football grounds unless I’m desperate, and it pains me to say that we have been one of the worst for a long time.