Clubs Eager To Respond To Patrons' New Needs
Newcastle Herald
Thursday March 22, 2007
REGISTERED clubs in the Hunter have always embraced change.
For clubs, change means survival in a competitive industry.It is the forward-planning and forward-moving clubs that have prospered, while others that have been reluctant or too slow have fallen by the wayside.Change over the past decade much of it driven by legislation has been dramatic.Requiring licensed premises to shoulder some of the responsibility for patrons through new rules relating to the responsible service of alcohol had an impact.Now new laws cracking down on smoking are in their final stages of implementation.What that has meant is the construction of special areas for smokers and the banning of smoking in all other rooms within the club building.The chairman of ClubsNSW, Peter Newell, said it was important clubs moved with the market."These past few years have seen clubs place a great deal of their focus on improving dining facilities," Mr Newell said. "This change came as a result of them communicating with the community and asking them what they need from their local club."Research is also largely responsible for the current move towards high-class gymnasium facilities."People might not know that the FitnessNSW Gym of the Year for the past two years has been won by a club."Mr Newell said he was confident that clubs were headed in the right direction."But it's responsible business planning to check if anything has been missed in terms of delivering community needs," he said."Another question will concern the July smoking bans and how this will affect the amount of time spent at the club by smokers and non-smokers."I'm confident the community will respond positively, given the industry's commitment to constructing outdoor areas so that everyone can enjoy their time at their local club."
© 2007 Newcastle Herald