Having been to a few new grounds and stands, such as Preston’s, I feel that much could be done to improve the bar facilities at newer stadium. Most feel like just a holding pen with over-priced beer.
We could ,with a bit of thought, use each bar in each stand as a selling point for the new stadium. Instead of just having breeze block walls we could with a bit of plaster and colour create more of a bar feel than that of a holding pen. Provide seating and some good lighting. So that people will want to stay longer in the area, not just a quick pint before the game and maybe one at half time. Get it right and fans will use it as a meeting point rather than the various pubs in Lancaster and Morecambe.
We could give each bar a theme to add to the feel of things. The home end could have a theme of ‘Morecambe Legends’. Start a hall of fame of say 20 legends , chosen by the club, and then each year have a fans vote to enter another player into the legends. Pictures could be hung around the bar. The Main stand could have a history of the club as its theme. Kind of a museum showing how we have grown over the years. The other side of the ground could have a Wembley theme with photo’s and memorabilia from both our Wembley Victories. With three quality areas for fans to visit we could even have a mini pub crawl within the ground!
The away end could be kept as a holding pen with an extra £1 on each pint. Maybe add a photo at each game of us scoring a goal against which ever team we are playing on that day. Just to get them in the mood for a good beating.
With a bit of thought the club could draw people to the ground earlier in the day, which would put more money back into the club and help create a better atmosphere by kick off time. Just an idea...