Given the difficult times we are all facing and incresing unempoyment we are looking at options on trying to retain race fans who are finding times hard and the question basically is would a discount make you attend more often.

With the economy having gaining a tighter grip on all of us we are looking for some feedback as to whether a discounted price for genuinely unemployed would encourage more regular attendance. It is an option we are examining and the practicalities. If you would like to add your own comments/views in this area please feel free to do so

SHOULD WE OFFER A DISCOUNTED ADMISSION FOR UNEMPLOYED YES/NO

HI STEVEN!

I'm sure reducing entrance fees for the "unemployed" would be welcomed for anyone in that unfortunate position, but then that leaves those who CAN'T work for some reason, whether disabled, on long-term sickness and/or their relevant Carers.

I am one of those many people who, although not a "pensioner" or "unemployed", can not work because I fall in the latter category, but still have to exist on benefits.

Therefore, if pensioners and unemployed persons received concessions due to reduced income, then I think you would have to broaden the system to take account of other benefit recipients.

At least the unemployed will, hopefully, regain employment before too long whereas people with poor health is another matter.

Another thing is...how would you "Police" it? You'd need to show some form of documentation at the turnstiles to verify you were in receipt of benefits?

As for the poll, I've voted YES but with reservations.

GED

I think Ged is right, could open up yet another can of worms, please one section of public, upset another.
Where it might work is if you worked with social groups, support groups in the area. Could bring in new customers and you could get some favourable publicity, if you can remember what that is Steve

Can't vote as I am (currently) employed.

Whilst I can see the benefits of such an offer, I'm not so sure that it would attract a larger audience and the management and policing could be a 'mare.

I think the season ticket offer was a really good deal. I'm sure if offered again next season it would break through the 100 barrier.

I'm not unemployed, but if I was, I think I'd have more important things to be worrying about than going racing.

In any case, it would be a nightmare to police. How would you prove you were unemployed?

documents or evidence would need to be shown and that would slow down the turnstyle, plus the type of documents needed to prove that a person is unemployed/on benefits dont have anything on them to prove who the person is, so cant really see how it could work at all

Intersting feedback thus far

To answer the question "Would a discount for unemployed make you more likely to attend an event?", my answer would be 'no'.

Realistically, while I'm quite happy to offer my opinions if I'm asked, as I've only missed 1 BV and about 3/4* Sheffields since they reopened, I'm probably not the type of fan that would be targeted by incentives anyway.

* and one of those we went to BV and watched Bangers and F2 instead.

Carl

What about a season ticket? By my reckoning, on attending the July Sheffield, I'll have covered the £100 outlay during the winter and all remaining F1 Startrax will be FOC.

A season ticket encourages as well as, rewards those like you, who attend most meetings.

I must admit Carl, you are probably amongst a majority - when we have done advance tickets/savers - take up is relatively small [ less than 5%] - the only reasonable success on advance tickets discount was WF at which close on 50% of tickets were sold prior to the event.

I think you meant "minority", Steve? There's presumably more people that do both tracks than buy season tickets, but maybe they don't want that sort of financial outlay in one go, or the commitment. You only need to miss a couple of meetings and you end up out of pocket. That's probably why advance discount tickets for individual meetings are much more successful.

Yes, the season tickets are good value, and I've had them in the past. The only reason I didn't get one this season is that we had a baby just before the season started, and at the time I didn't know what meetings I'd be attending. As it turns out, I've only done Belle Vue and Sheffield so far (plus Warton and Hednesford), so in hindsight I should have got one.

Have you considered seperate season tickets for BV and Sheffield? That might get more of a response, especially from locals who mainly just do one track.