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I think the problem is that there seems to be no flexibility to the prices, for something that was meant to fulfill some form of legacy role. I feel £20 for a one-off session is reasonable, and as an adult a for a primary source of entertainment its okay. But if you wanted to do it every week, as a youth or person with limited income its clearly a lot harder.
It is also a problem with London where there is a clear stratification of what people can afford. I certainly never spend £20-30 on lunch+water+coffee.
I also agree that the building is beautiful, and clearly is going to be running at a loss, but if that's the case then maybe they should subsidise development more?
(none of the money points are meant as personal digs, btw)
Edit: and re^, I felt really glad that I did the LFGSS session where we ended up getting 1.5 hour sessions and actually managed about an hour and 20 min of riding
branwen-
I absolutely agree. There doesn't appear to be any flexibility in the pricing. It's a great venue and we're lucky having it close to home (well closer than Derby or Newport). I was born in Hackney and grew up in Leyton so it's a joy to see this part of London so well developed from what it was.
£20 a session is reasonable but every week does become expensive (even for someone who can spend £30 on lunch & coffees). It could be improved;
** Discounts for regular booking i.e. a buy 10 get 1 free type thing
** Discounted rates for Juniors
** Senior citizens do get a reduction - in 5 years time I will only have to pay £16 per sessionI am sure youth group sessions are discounted/subsidised. As a schoolboy we rode at Eastway (which was under Lea Valley Park) as our PE lesson and I'm sure it was all free for the school.
I don't know what the financial drivers for the Velodrome/Lea Valley Park are but there are some good suggestions here - especially for Corporate events to subsidise those with limited incomes.
It also needs someone at LVVP to read all this and be able to make changes where they are possible.
BTW with the job I do I don't have the luxury of choosing what, when and where I can eat/drink when I go into London. I have to get everything on the fly during the day whenever I have time which is why I end up paying full London rates for it all.
Eagle_Glenn
I doubt the London track will ever make money as it probably costs too much to run compared to what it can generate in revenue. I'd like to see the figures though.
I ride there on average once a week - Vets session costing £20. For that I get free parking (I live N of Saffron Walden so have no choice but to drive), 2hrs on the track, generally with a good group of riders and a good session, a shower and wireless so I can fit in a few calls/mails. All in a pleasant and rain-free environment. I'm in construction so always admire the building as well - it's a joy to be inside it.
Considering a beer in that part of the world is c£4-5 (probably more for an artisan or craft beer) and every time I go into C London for the day I easily burn £20-30 on coffees, a simple lunch & a few bottles of water then it's not that expensive.
When I go I am guaranteed a ride indoors in excellent conditions (well apart from the other Monday night with the water leak).
For the quality of what you're riding in and where it is, it doesn't seem that expensive. Other tracks aren't as expensive (I used to ride at Newport when working near Bristol) but then they aren't as close.
Yes the organisation and operation - especially the website - could improve but I doubt that's factored into the costs.