Hector's House Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 ^ Oh come on, you've been thinking outside the (Shetland) box again, haven't you? You know full well that real-world practices cannot be allowed here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 It isn't just about the cafe/bar not coping with serving alcohol though, is it? People have mentioned elsewhere (and also on here, I think, without scrolling back) about having to wait 20 minutes for a cup of coffee, soup not being ready at lunchtime, the cafe/bar closing when a large event is on (Like the Oxjam gig) - that isn't looking good for making a profit, now is it? Other new venues manage to get things right on the first day they open, why can't Mareel? It would be interesting to see how all the facilities at Mareel are doing balance sheet-wise right now as opposed to just the cinema. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Hmm, why this obsession with profits I do not know. There is not often profits in Art except the good of the folk involved. I should be seen as a service that all can have the opportunity to take part in. We already know some think that the Arts are a waste of public money. I guess that could be the reason for the continuous dull niggle. It is a new building, new staff and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Hmm, why this obsession with profits I do not know. There is not often profits in Art except the good of the folk involved. I should be seen as a service that all can have the opportunity to take part in. We already know some think that the Arts are a waste of public money. I guess that could be the reason for the continuous dull niggle. It is a new building, new staff and such. Are you seriously saying then, SP, that to wait approaching half an hour for a cuppa is acceptable just because it is a new building with new staff? The funky gibbon made a big song and dance recently about how good the cinema takings have been and how they are way ahead of their expectations which is great. However, I'm sure even you realise that politicians tend to bury or hide bad news on good news days. Mareel, as I think you've said before, produced a business plan. Is it not the case that Mareel are expecting to make X amount of profit from certain sections of it in order to help balance the books? Granted, they don't envisage Mareel making an overall profit in the first few years but the reason I made the point concerning the other facilities is this: IF they envisaged pulling in dosh from the cafe/hiring out, etc., and those figures are well short of what they envisaged and it continues to be the case, then the cinema takings mean zilch (unless they cover all the running costs of the facilities which I very much doubt). They are the ones who put forward the argument that they wouldn't be going asking for dosh in years to come, not me, and therefore whilst it is good news that the cinema numbers are higher than forecasted, we need to know how Mareel is doing in its entirety. That said, they've got ample time to change tact. For the record, I don't believe that all of 'the Arts' are a waste of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinner72 Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 As to eating, I think Shetland restaurants are missing a trick. They could attract more people in by offering an early evening, fixed-price, pre-theatre (or cinema/concert) menu up to, say, 6.30pm Sunday-Thursday. Again, that's routine elsewhere: two or even three courses for around £12-£15, often with a glass of wine thrown in. At that sort of price, people start to think of a meal out as an occasional alternative to eating in. As things stand, local restaurants' evening menus seem to be predicated on the notion that eating out has to be a big occasion with prices to match. Good post, and I agree. I have never understood the lerwick businesses objections to Mareel as all it can possibly do is bring customers right to their doorstep. As you say, what matters is pricing and timing. People need to know they will be finished their grub in time for a gig (whatever it may be) or for 7ish to catch the main film times. Likewise with pubs offering a happy hour etc. Mareels cafe bar isn't and never has been designed to cope with the kinds of numbers that would eat and drink if they had the opportunity. The last few gigs at clickamin have just used the existing bar, and closed it during performance times, which has been a fantastic idea and as far as I'm aware mostly applauded (apart from the few who thing the drinking is the be-all and end-all), with no-one getting up during performances etc. Funny how people adapt to venues in an instant south (never seen anyone complain that VUE or Cineworld only release film times weekly) or that the bar in the ABC is too small and closes early, yet here its expected to change instantly. So, should Mareel open up multiple bars and ensure everyone gets blootered as quickly as possible or should people just employ a little midder wit, plan ahead, and enjoy the gigs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 ...Mareels cafe bar isn't and never has been designed to cope with the kinds of numbers that would eat and drink if they had the opportunity. ... Funny how people adapt to venues in an instant south (never seen anyone complain that VUE or Cineworld only release film times weekly) or that the bar in the ABC is too small and closes early, yet here its expected to change instantly. So, should Mareel open up multiple bars and ensure everyone gets blootered as quickly as possible or should people just employ a little midder wit, plan ahead, and enjoy the gigs? Perhaps because the comparisons you use are just cinemas and not a multi-complex? Again, Mareel are the ones who stated that the building is multi-functional. So why should it be the case that, for example, that someone might go to a dance class or be attending an evening workshop but can't buy a coffee and a sandwich because there is a gig/film elsewhere in the building? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinner72 Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 I was mainly comparing to music venues like the ABC and Liquid Rooms (in my head, my bad for not saying so!) but yep, valid point and in fact may even fit well with a multiplex comparison as cinema bars tend to be very similar due to the various films being on at various times with people waiting in between and big rushes at certain times. Agreed that an extra bar is probably best during events in the main auditorium if the main cafe bar is being kept busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoogler Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 As to eating, I think Shetland restaurants are missing a trick. They could attract more people in by offering an early evening, fixed-price, pre-theatre (or cinema/concert) menu up to, say, 6.30pm Sunday-Thursday. Again, that's routine elsewhere: two or even three courses for around £12-£15, often with a glass of wine thrown in. At that sort of price, people start to think of a meal out as an occasional alternative to eating in. As things stand, local restaurants' evening menus seem to be predicated on the notion that eating out has to be a big occasion with prices to match. Likewise with pubs offering a happy hour etc. Du kens da new licensing laws don't allow such a drinks promotion anymore - agree with the essence of what Symbister is saying however Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoogler Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Unlinked, with all your good ideas and input on the Mareel thread, i think you would be an asset to Shetland Arts and you should be looking for a job with them..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Unlinked, with all your good ideas and input on the Mareel thread, i think you would be an asset to Shetland Arts and you should be looking for a job with them..... No thanks. Edit: They wouldn't go amiss though with some "mystery shoppers" such as yourself perhaps though eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 You would be good at it, plenty to say and all that. It would be good to have someone with a positive attitude and thought process. It seems Shetland needs folk like that to come from the islands instead of dragging folk from the south at an additional cost. Shame, you would be good I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoogler Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 Unlinked, with all your good ideas and input on the Mareel thread, i think you would be an asset to Shetland Arts and you should be looking for a job with them..... No thanks. Edit: They wouldn't go amiss though with some "mystery shoppers" such as yourself perhaps though eh? Lost me there i'm afraid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 It's really good to see such a diverse range of films on offer at Mareel between the 26th October and the 1st November. There is a choice of Skyfall, Skyfall or more Skyfall.... I'm sure all gold card customers will be delighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckleJoannie Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I underestand that the deal with the distributors means that they have to show what they get offrered, so there will be a lack of choice sometimes. And no time ago people were complaing that we only got the big films months after release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 It's really good to see such a diverse range of films on offer at Mareel between the 26th October and the 1st November. There is a choice of Skyfall, Skyfall or more Skyfall.... I'm sure all gold card customers will be delighted. Well this is just not true. Madagascar is also on offer as well as some other titles. Would be nice if the full listing for next week was available in an easy to read format but hopefully that will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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