The Lakeside Hammers fans have been rewarded for their incredible support of the past two years with an admission price freeze for the first half and, in all probability, the entire 2009 season at a time when many rival clubs are announcing price increases. There is even a decrease for 10 to 15 year olds with further discounts for families and the unemployed as the Club aim to banish the area’s credit crunch blues by providing another summer of exhilarating entertainment every Friday night at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
?Full details of the Hammers pricing structure are: - Adult admission - £15, Senior Citizens and other concessions - £11, Children 6 to 15 years - £3. Under 6 years - Free. Family ticket - £30 for two adults plus £2 for each child, Unemployed with proof of status - £10.?Programme price remains at £2.50.
?Because of the volatile national financial picture the prices are frozen until 1st June 2009.
?Announcing this year’s Admission prices a bullish Co Promoter
Jon Cook:
"We are aware that many of our rivals are increasing prices and although by not doing so we may be disadvantaged in the revenue we can put towards team costs we feel it better to help our supporters to still enjoy their weekly fix and to gain new fans to make up any shortfall. It’s been an extremely torrid time financially for this Country since last season ended but we have had the blessing of a VAT reduction and this measure has helped us to keep prices the same. We also felt that by reducing family costs we could make sure both parents were able to attend. In addition, for those who have found themselves without employment at this difficult time, we have offered a substantial reduction so they can still follow their beloved Hammers. The only word of caution is that we can no more predict the future than Gordon Brown so, to protect the long term future of the Club, we will have to review the prices should matters outside of our control descend further.”
?The club have more good news for Season Ticket holders who are protected against any price increase and enjoy substantial savings over the Club’s planned 24 fixture season. Those still wishing to purchase a 2009 Hammers Season Ticket an easy payment plan will be available until 15th March with five monthly instalments of £58 for Adults and £48 for Senior Citizens and concessions to spread the cost of the season.
?Cook's Co-Promoter and the Hammers owner,
Stuart Douglas, was equally upbeat:
"The fans are the Club, and our Season Ticket holders are its backbone. This year's Season Ticket sales are hugely encouraging despite the £20 increase to bring us more into line with - though still significantly cheaper than - our Elite league rivals," said Douglas. "The extra income has gone directly towards the rider purchases of Kauko Nieminen and Stuart Robson. We are hoping to make this the third year in a row that we have managed to increase our Season Ticket fan base. This is also the third year we have kept our admission prices frozen and it is especially important now, with some clubs in the League below us charging exactly the same amount, that we bring the top flight Speedway to the public as reasonably priced as we possibly can".
