Old Wilsonians’ Sports Club Bar report 2023
Posted 30th November 2023
Last year we took in wet sales including VAT of £216k, which I am pleased to report we have already exceeded. As of the week commencing 13th November our sales figures stood at £221K, and as we approach the rest of the year, we have several inhouse events and a few outside hires, which I would estimate will see us take an approx. further £26K. The numbers for this year are based on a period from the beginning of January to the projected end of December.
The cost of stock purchases this year have seen an overall increase, particularly in respect of spirits, wine and beer, and these increases have inevitably occasioned a rise in our sale prices.
We have also seen a change in the Kitchen with Steve Lawrence stepping down in July. I would like to thank Steve for all the work and effort he put in over the last few years. Thank You Steve.
In order to better accommodate the members of the Sports Club, myself and the President spent time putting together a list of requirements needed to provide a service that not only made sense for an incoming caterer, but also provide a regular service on a weekly basis, offering specific opening times throughout the year.
In the end we went with a local family who showed the best understanding of the club’s needs and convinced us of their ability to deliver them.
Prior to them starting we deep cleaned the kitchen, updated the electrics in the kitchen area, changed the layout and once again invested in some new (used) equipment to complement what we had already. We also moved and changed the coffee and hot drinks facility into the kitchen. This has allowed the kitchen to now open on weekends earlier than in the past, and saved costs on staff behind the bar.
Feedback from members has been good and now we are seeing a regular flow of members making use of the services provided. This has been evident especially on Sundays with the Junior football club, with Coffee and hot drinks selling early in the morning each Sunday. Saturdays has been a little disappointing, but we are working together to improve this. I am hopeful that we are on our way to providing a good food service, with regular opening times, which will contribute to the overall success of the club.
Bromley Food Safety also inspected us this year, while the bar area remained a score of 3 out of 5. Our new caterers, Leaf Bean & Tucker received the highest possible rating of 5. Which is great news for them and the club.
