We have successfully completed three weeks in the Biergarten and all being well, on Monday 17th May we can re-open inside the Clubhouse. Thank you to all members and their guests who have come along to support us.

CLUBHOUSE/TOILETS

We continue to get ready to open up the Clubhouse, including taking staff off furlough. This is a challenging process, all the more so as we try to control costs as more staff are needed to provide table service. Bar income is very encouraging but our profit margin and therefore likely contribution from the Clubhouse is likely to be lower for a while.

I know some members feel the Clubhouse should be open from 9am in case they need the toilet but our model at present would mean paying someone basically to baby sit the building until the Biergarten opens. That would work out at over 30 hours a week and if people want to pay for that, no problem but for now we will try to get the toilets open by 11:00am on weekends and bank holidays and 2:30pm on weekdays. The aim is to then expand that window as the Clubhouse comes back to life.

CAR PARK/DISABLED BAYS

Sadly, we are seeing people without need regularly using these valuable spaces. When challenged, their reaction has not been pleasant but in every case, we are aware of it has been gym users. I will be meeting with Nuffield Health this week to ask them to take a firmer line with the offenders.

CAR PARK/LITTER

Protein shakes, McDonalds’ wrappers, those irritating little silver cannisters…. are hopefully not being left by our members and once again we will be raising this with next door. Our staff and some volunteers have been doing their best to keep the car park clear, we’ve tried bins before but they didn’t work so hopefully we can work with Nuffield to get people to keep their rubbish in their cars rather than just drop it out the car window.

So much for everyone coming back nicer after lockdown!

SECTION RENTS

Myself, Ray, Colin and Stu will be meeting in the next few days to finalize these with the aim of a) trying to support each sport coming back with a reduction, however small, for this financial year and b) creating a 4-year plan so everyone can know precisely what is expected. As requested by several sections, rents will be invoiced and dates provided by which rent needs to be paid, whether that be one lump sum, quarterly, two payments or whatever that section prefers.

THANK YOU!

Once we can, we will arrange an Executive Meeting but, in the meantime, and as always, thanks to you and your Committees for the great work they carry out. I hope everyone is feeling more confident about a return to “normal” even though all our sports retain various restrictions for the time being.

See you soon!

Alan

Alan Rankin, Hon Chairman, Cheam Sports Club