Firstly let me just quickly say that I visit the ground about every three weeks during the close season, something I've done for years, walking from Hammersmith to Bishops Park via Charlie's Barbers and The Half Moon Cafe,
So I'm familiar with The Riverside from inception to what you see today, on the way to the ground I had to pass both The River Cafe and The Crabtree and I must say that both establishments were absolutely packed, standing room only, so I was quite surprised to find what could be best described as a smattering of people and a lot of them were wearing Fulham lanyards,
If other venues within 10 minutes of the ground are packed and we're not then surely we are doing something wrong are we not ?
Every time I visit I struggle to see exactly what audience we are trying to attract, there's no restaurant there, at least not downstairs, where you can have a meal with a menu and a knife and fork, or a cafe style scenario with comfy chairs and cakes and sandwiches etc ,
There is no way that costs were being covered today, certainly not in the 90 minutes or so that I was there,
Plenty of people with laptops though,"working from home " using the WiFi but not spending any money, every time I visit there never seems to be anyone in charge just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated, I visit because I love the Club and the area ,if I didn't I wouldn't have a single reason to return as customer service is pretty lousy.
There was though plenty going on on the pitch with what looked like the entire pitch being re laid , also lots going on with the wall at the back of The Hammersmith End it looked like some kind of cosmetic work,
If ever there was a day designed for an outdoor swimming pool then this was the day, how long has it been now, seven years ?
Oh and I met Alec McLeish on the tube, a bit of a legend of mine.
Strangely enough, I was also there today as I had arranged to meet some old friends and it seemed like a good place to do that.
It certainly wasn't packed,considering it is a decent location. We were not looking to eat but there is taco or pizza available, or cake/pastries with the coffee. I think if you wanted a sit down meal you would need to book the restaurant upstairs.
I agree, there were a lot of laptop users who did not appear to be buying anything. It does make you wonder if it is making money during the weekdays but there were definitely more people turning up around 5 as I was leaving using the bar. And the DJ started around that time too so I would assume the evenings get busier.
A lot of work going on with the pitch, as you say, and still some builders working around the Bishops Park exit (would that be the hotel?) I like that we can pop along and see the old place during the summer. I even managed to point out my actual seat in the Hammy End as it is slightly discoloured so stands out!
Quote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMjust plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
Why would Fayed not have tolerated them? Seems a very misplaced and strange statement.
Re the ground, it'll take a bit of time- you're comparing it to two very established businesses with (cafe especially) a load of big company offices close by.
Quote from: The Cravenette on June 22, 2026, 09:59:56 PMStrangely enough, I was also there today as I had arranged to meet some old friends and it seemed like a good place to do that.
It certainly wasn't packed,considering it is a decent location. We were not looking to eat but there is taco or pizza available, or cake/pastries with the coffee. I think if you wanted a sit down meal you would need to book the restaurant upstairs.
I agree, there were a lot of laptop users who did not appear to be buying anything. It does make you wonder if it is making money during the weekdays but there were definitely more people turning up around 5 as I was leaving using the bar. And the DJ started around that time too so I would assume the evenings get busier.
A lot of work going on with the pitch, as you say, and still some builders working around the Bishops Park exit (would that be the hotel?) I like that we can pop along and see the old place during the summer. I even managed to point out my actual seat in the Hammy End as it is slightly discoloured so stands out!
The hotel which is open is at the Hammersmith End.
Give the people what they want, the world's biggest Spoons.
Quote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMFirstly let me just quickly say that I visit the ground about every three weeks during the close season, something I've done for years, walking from Hammersmith to Bishops Park via Charlie's Barbers and The Half Moon Cafe,
So I'm familiar with The Riverside from inception to what you see today, on the way to the ground I had to pass both The River Cafe and The Crabtree and I must say that both establishments were absolutely packed, standing room only, so I was quite surprised to find what could be best described as a smattering of people and a lot of them were wearing Fulham lanyards,
If other venues within 10 minutes of the ground are packed and we're not then surely we are doing something wrong are we not ?
Every time I visit I struggle to see exactly what audience we are trying to attract, there's no restaurant there, at least not downstairs, where you can have a meal with a menu and a knife and fork, or a cafe style scenario with comfy chairs and cakes and sandwiches etc ,
There is no way that costs were being covered today, certainly not in the 90 minutes or so that I was there,
Plenty of people with laptops though,"working from home " using the WiFi but not spending any money, every time I visit there never seems to be anyone in charge just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated, I visit because I love the Club and the area ,if I didn't I wouldn't have a single reason to return as customer service is pretty lousy.
There was though plenty going on on the pitch with what looked like the entire pitch being re laid , also lots going on with the wall at the back of The Hammersmith End it looked like some kind of cosmetic work,
If ever there was a day designed for an outdoor swimming pool then this was the day, how long has it been now, seven years ?
Oh and I met Alec McLeish on the tube, a bit of a legend of mine.
Hmm that's interesting, I live 10 minute walk away and go there quite a lot for lunchtime coffee and it's always been busy, although I haven't been for couple of weeks due to health, but will be back strolling down there again soon.
Four of my family nave arrived from Australia, a visit to Craven Cottage is on their itinerary
I wrote a piece saying much the same thing a few weeks ago, including the poor customer service.
It was suggested here that the changeable weather may have been a factor on my visit but it's disappointing to hear on a day like today.
If FFC employees are taking their break elsewhere there's a problem.
It's really not rocket science to get someone in to improve the layout etc etc and make the place more appealing.
If my memory serves me well did they not have someone full time on 50 grand to run it,surely he would have informed chief executive of improvements needed obviously you can't see a lot from Motspur park and more so even harder from usa.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 10:19:57 AMQuote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMjust plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
Why would Fayed not have tolerated them? Seems a very misplaced and strange statement.
Re the ground, it'll take a bit of time- you're comparing it to two very established businesses with (cafe especially) a load of big company offices close by.
I don't know what it's like now but under Al Fayed I can give you a cast iron guarantee that you would never ever see a member of staff looking at a phone ,but it was prevalent everywhere at Fulham yesterday,
The kid in the club shop huffed as he had to stop looking at his phone for a minute to serve me,
I'm fairly sure the level of service in the many lounges on match day will be top notch but that level of service wasn't on show yesterday, more Lidl and Aldi as opposed to Harrods.
Quote from: C Block on June 23, 2026, 03:16:14 PMI don't know what it's like now but under Al Fayed I can give you a cast iron guarantee that you would never ever see a member of staff looking at a phone ,but it was prevalent everywhere at Fulham yesterday,
Not everything was that rosy working for Fayed it would appear.
Just seems an odd thing to moan about IMO.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 10:19:57 AMQuote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMjust plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
Why would Fayed not have tolerated them? Seems a very misplaced and strange statement.
Re the ground, it'll take a bit of time- you're comparing it to two very established businesses with (cafe especially) a load of big company offices close by.
It's 2026
Times have changed unfortunately for the worse,,,
Must be The Khans fault
Quote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PM...just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
I'm sure he would have instructed someone to bring them to his office. Wherein the duties expected of them would be clearly indicated.
Quote from: cmg on June 23, 2026, 06:24:28 PMQuote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PM...just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
I'm sure he would have instructed someone to bring them to his office. Wherein the duties expected of them would be clearly indicated.
Brutal, but true
Quote from: alfie on June 23, 2026, 11:19:23 AMHmm that's interesting, I live 10 minute walk away and go there quite a lot for lunchtime coffee and it's always been busy, although I haven't been for couple of weeks due to health, but will be back strolling down there again soon.
Hope you're on the mend mate. ::thumb::
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on June 23, 2026, 07:10:59 PMQuote from: alfie on June 23, 2026, 11:19:23 AMHmm that's interesting, I live 10 minute walk away and go there quite a lot for lunchtime coffee and it's always been busy, although I haven't been for couple of weeks due to health, but will be back strolling down there again soon.
Hope you're on the mend mate. ::thumb::
Oh yes no problem, just been a bit under the weather.thanks 🥵
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on June 23, 2026, 01:32:58 PMI wrote a piece saying much the same thing a few weeks ago, including the poor customer service.
It was suggested here that the changeable weather may have been a factor on my visit but it's disappointing to hear on a day like today.
If FFC employees are taking their break elsewhere there's a problem.
It's really not rocket science to get someone in to improve the layout etc etc and make the place more appealing.
Quote from: perry geyton on June 23, 2026, 05:01:52 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 10:19:57 AMQuote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMjust plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated
Why would Fayed not have tolerated them? Seems a very misplaced and strange statement.
Re the ground, it'll take a bit of time- you're comparing it to two very established businesses with (cafe especially) a load of big company offices close by.
It's 2026
Times have changed unfortunately for the worse,,,
Must be The Khans fault
Clearly another issue that TK is responsible for 😂
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on June 23, 2026, 07:10:59 PMQuote from: alfie on June 23, 2026, 11:19:23 AMHmm that's interesting, I live 10 minute walk away and go there quite a lot for lunchtime coffee and it's always been busy, although I haven't been for couple of weeks due to health, but will be back strolling down there again soon.
Hope you're on the mend mate. ::thumb::
Well said Somerset - best of health to you Alfie
Quote from: HV71 on June 23, 2026, 07:53:47 PMQuote from: Somerset Fulham on June 23, 2026, 07:10:59 PMQuote from: alfie on June 23, 2026, 11:19:23 AMHmm that's interesting, I live 10 minute walk away and go there quite a lot for lunchtime coffee and it's always been busy, although I haven't been for couple of weeks due to health, but will be back strolling down there again soon.
Hope you're on the mend mate. ::thumb::
Well said Somerset - best of health to you Alfie
👍
I go there every few weeks too and its always reasonably well populated. Never going to massively busy on a week day. I Was there on the sunday of picnic on the pitch and it was absolutely heaving. None of the people there were there for POTP. We couldn't find a table to sit, loads going on, kids club etc
There's a big footfall , people constantly walking past and popping in etc
Quote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMFirstly let me just quickly say that I visit the ground about every three weeks during the close season, something I've done for years, walking from Hammersmith to Bishops Park via Charlie's Barbers and The Half Moon Cafe,
So I'm familiar with The Riverside from inception to what you see today, on the way to the ground I had to pass both The River Cafe and The Crabtree and I must say that both establishments were absolutely packed, standing room only, so I was quite surprised to find what could be best described as a smattering of people and a lot of them were wearing Fulham lanyards,
If other venues within 10 minutes of the ground are packed and we're not then surely we are doing something wrong are we not ?
Every time I visit I struggle to see exactly what audience we are trying to attract, there's no restaurant there, at least not downstairs, where you can have a meal with a menu and a knife and fork, or a cafe style scenario with comfy chairs and cakes and sandwiches etc ,
There is no way that costs were being covered today, certainly not in the 90 minutes or so that I was there,
Plenty of people with laptops though,"working from home " using the WiFi but not spending any money, every time I visit there never seems to be anyone in charge just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated, I visit because I love the Club and the area ,if I didn't I wouldn't have a single reason to return as customer service is pretty lousy.
There was though plenty going on on the pitch with what looked like the entire pitch being re laid , also lots going on with the wall at the back of The Hammersmith End it looked like some kind of cosmetic work,
If ever there was a day designed for an outdoor swimming pool then this was the day, how long has it been now, seven years ?
Oh and I met Alec McLeish on the tube, a bit of a legend of mine.
I enjoyed reading your observations and that you regularly walk past the Cottage. It must be one of the nicest locations on the list of 92 professional clubs in England Wales. However, I was a little confused when you said the Crabtree and the Riverside Cafe were packed and then say that there was only a smattering of people. Did you mean the barber shop and Half Moon Cafe were packed?? If so, it must surely have something to do with pricing. Pubs are now expensive meeting points and I know the Riverside Cafe is also pricey. Hence why they are near empty. As for a swimming pool at the club. That will never happen. Health and Safety. Look at the number of recent fatalities involving those who couldn't swim- or couldn't swim properly yet entered the sea or a swimming pool. Fans in the Riverside drinking and eating large amounts and then jumping into a swimming pool would be a recipe for a disaster- even if the pool had a lifeguard. It's a bad idea.
Quote from: SuperFreeman on June 24, 2026, 03:46:04 AMQuote from: C Block on June 22, 2026, 09:23:06 PMFirstly let me just quickly say that I visit the ground about every three weeks during the close season, something I've done for years, walking from Hammersmith to Bishops Park via Charlie's Barbers and The Half Moon Cafe,
So I'm familiar with The Riverside from inception to what you see today, on the way to the ground I had to pass both The River Cafe and The Crabtree and I must say that both establishments were absolutely packed, standing room only, so I was quite surprised to find what could be best described as a smattering of people and a lot of them were wearing Fulham lanyards,
If other venues within 10 minutes of the ground are packed and we're not then surely we are doing something wrong are we not ?
Every time I visit I struggle to see exactly what audience we are trying to attract, there's no restaurant there, at least not downstairs, where you can have a meal with a menu and a knife and fork, or a cafe style scenario with comfy chairs and cakes and sandwiches etc ,
There is no way that costs were being covered today, certainly not in the 90 minutes or so that I was there,
Plenty of people with laptops though,"working from home " using the WiFi but not spending any money, every time I visit there never seems to be anyone in charge just plenty of youngsters head down staring at their phone, something Al Fayed would never had tolerated, I visit because I love the Club and the area ,if I didn't I wouldn't have a single reason to return as customer service is pretty lousy.
There was though plenty going on on the pitch with what looked like the entire pitch being re laid , also lots going on with the wall at the back of The Hammersmith End it looked like some kind of cosmetic work,
If ever there was a day designed for an outdoor swimming pool then this was the day, how long has it been now, seven years ?
Oh and I met Alec McLeish on the tube, a bit of a legend of mine.
I enjoyed reading your observations and that you regularly walk past the Cottage. It must be one of the nicest locations on the list of 92 professional clubs in England Wales. However, I was a little confused when you said the Crabtree and the Riverside Cafe were packed and then say that there was only a smattering of people. Did you mean the barber shop and Half Moon Cafe were packed?? If so, it must surely have something to do with pricing. Pubs are now expensive meeting points and I know the Riverside Cafe is also pricey. Hence why they are near empty. As for a swimming pool at the club. That will never happen. Health and Safety. Look at the number of recent fatalities involving those who couldn't swim- or couldn't swim properly yet entered the sea or a swimming pool. Fans in the Riverside drinking and eating large amounts and then jumping into a swimming pool would be a recipe for a disaster- even if the pool had a lifeguard. It's a bad idea.
Have you never been on Holiday, all those thosands of people,
in Hotels.
eating drinking around the pool.
If this weather holds for the weekend
the Riverside will be packed out.
This can only be good for FFC and,
the profile of the club.
Given the fact that there are no offices in the immediate area then it's hardly a surprise that there is a lack of office workers lunch time. And those who do work at the ground are hardly going to walk to Putney Bridge for lunch so if it's convenient for them to have a coffee or meeting at the stand then it makes sense. I get the feeling that some people are just looking to pick holes in this project.
Quote from: cookieg on June 24, 2026, 10:32:51 AMGiven the fact that there are no offices in the immediate area then it's hardly a surprise that there is a lack of office workers lunch time. And those who do work at the ground are hardly going to walk to Putney Bridge for lunch so if it's convenient for them to have a coffee or meeting at the stand then it makes sense. I get the feeling that some people are just looking to pick holes in this project.
Not at all, in fact I agree with everything you say, but there lies the problem, it's not easily accessible for those people that just want to pop out at lunchtime, and that's never going to change, so what's the answer?
How do you entice the clients of the River Cafe and the Crabtree to make the effort to walk the additional distance to The Riverside?
It's not convenient for either the people of Putney or the people of Hammersmith to pop to for an hour, but somebody involved with the Fulham Pier needs to think about a solution 🤔
Quote from: C Block on June 24, 2026, 12:57:30 PMQuote from: cookieg on June 24, 2026, 10:32:51 AMGiven the fact that there are no offices in the immediate area then it's hardly a surprise that there is a lack of office workers lunch time. And those who do work at the ground are hardly going to walk to Putney Bridge for lunch so if it's convenient for them to have a coffee or meeting at the stand then it makes sense. I get the feeling that some people are just looking to pick holes in this project.
Not at all, in fact I agree with everything you say, but there lies the problem, it's not easily accessible for those people that just want to pop out at lunchtime, and that's never going to change, so what's the answer?
How do you entice the clients of the River Cafe and the Crabtree to make the effort to walk the additional distance to The Riverside?
It's not convenient for either the people of Putney or the people of Hammersmith to pop to for an hour, but somebody involved with the Fulham Pier needs to think about a solution 🤔
Bring back the footbridge plans! Seriously though, look at the footfall in Bishops Park and Fulham Palace, if a venue gets a good rep. people go out of their way.