Goodwood Full Membership
Discussion
The actual number is an interesting discussion point.
Mainly because we were told at one point, what the numbers were, and that it is exclusive.
There is an argument that since it is a world-wide club, it would be perfectly okay for 100,000 members if only 5000 ever turned up in one year.
If everyone is local and all want to go to the Kennels on a Friday - that would be a probelm.
It does affect the value proposition of what is being sold though, and the club should be open about it.
Mainly because we were told at one point, what the numbers were, and that it is exclusive.
There is an argument that since it is a world-wide club, it would be perfectly okay for 100,000 members if only 5000 ever turned up in one year.
If everyone is local and all want to go to the Kennels on a Friday - that would be a probelm.
It does affect the value proposition of what is being sold though, and the club should be open about it.
With reference to membership numbers, I mentioned that these fluctuate. As you will be aware, we are currently inviting some of the Fellowship who are on the member-in-waiting list to upgrade to full membership, in anticipation of the churn that we experience every year. Therefore at the moment, the number of full members is high. At the start of the new year, it will be lower. I hope that clarifies.
As always, we are always very happy to speak to members about their concerns, observations and complaints. Please do contact the GRRC team if you'd like to speak to one of the team - perhaps Josh Parsons, the Club manager.
With best wishes,
Sarah
As always, we are always very happy to speak to members about their concerns, observations and complaints. Please do contact the GRRC team if you'd like to speak to one of the team - perhaps Josh Parsons, the Club manager.
With best wishes,
Sarah
No ideas for a name said:
The actual number is an interesting discussion point.
Mainly because we were told at one point, what the numbers were, and that it is exclusive.
There is an argument that since it is a world-wide club, it would be perfectly okay for 100,000 members if only 5000 ever turned up in one year.
If everyone is local and all want to go to the Kennels on a Friday - that would be a probelm.
It does affect the value proposition of what is being sold though, and the club should be open about it.
I had never publicly shared my view on this and probably never would have if it wasn't for the rising sense of being taken for ride, through covid and now with the FOS communication and loss of benefits, but I first began to feel uncomfortable about the membership proposition when the fellowship was introduced. It was at that point that being a member stopped feeling exclusive. Suddenly many thousands of semi members enjoyed most of the same benefits for a fraction of the cost and now we can see that in parallel the number of members was also increasing. At the same time the hospitality services were expanding into the really exclusive aspect and areas of the events. If you want a special and exclusive experience at the events now you need a hospitality package.Mainly because we were told at one point, what the numbers were, and that it is exclusive.
There is an argument that since it is a world-wide club, it would be perfectly okay for 100,000 members if only 5000 ever turned up in one year.
If everyone is local and all want to go to the Kennels on a Friday - that would be a probelm.
It does affect the value proposition of what is being sold though, and the club should be open about it.
SarahGoodwood said:
Dear Andy,
As membership is a year-long product, yours will carry on until 31 December regardless - I'm afraid there is no way to end it earlier than this, as you have already paid for the year. I hope that clarifies!
With best wishes,
Sarah
ok Sarah,As membership is a year-long product, yours will carry on until 31 December regardless - I'm afraid there is no way to end it earlier than this, as you have already paid for the year. I hope that clarifies!
With best wishes,
Sarah
If membership is a year long product why can't I book tickets for the revival in 2024 when I can for the 2024 members meeting?
Got to be honest, it’s never once occurred to me to care what the membership numbers are. Whether it’s an exclusive club or not is barely on the radar, I’m at a loss as to why it would be for some. That the GRRC has rarely been worth the “privilege” has been an obvious point for many yrs. In fact it has been a pt of debate in my family ever since the Aero club opened as I’ve always contended that was vastly better value and had better facilities.
andylaight said:
ok Sarah,
If membership is a year long product why can't I book tickets for the revival in 2024 when I can for the 2024 members meeting?
That is an interesting point... I recently booked (as a 2023 member) a driving experience on the simulators for Nov '23, but the only way I could get the member discount was to renew my membership as I was told that I was only 'technically' still a member and wouldn't otherwise get the discount.If membership is a year long product why can't I book tickets for the revival in 2024 when I can for the 2024 members meeting?
DeejRC said:
Got to be honest, it’s never once occurred to me to care what the membership numbers are. Whether it’s an exclusive club or not is barely on the radar, I’m at a loss as to why it would be for some.
I'm guessing you've never tried to use the Revival GRRC enclosure on a rainy day? I can tell you that when you and your guest find yourselves eating lunch sitting on the floor with plates balanced on your laps, that's when you care about the numbers.The members' open day this year had traffic queues so long that it took up to an hour just to get parked and some people gave up before they got there. The free Thursday FoS tickets - the catalyst for this whole debate - was a benefit that Goodwood were "left with no choice but to remove", it had become so oversubscribed.
I could go on (the public tunnel at Revival is often a quicker option than the member's one; the Regional Drives are excellent if you can get on them). The truth is that these benefits were originally scaled for a club of 5,000 members but are now stretched to a figure approaching (or possibly exceeding) twice that number.
That's why it matters.
Ian Wegg said:
The truth is that these benefits were originally scaled for a club of 5,000 members but are now stretched to a figure approaching (or possibly exceeding) twice that number.
That's why it matters.
I said to myself I was going to have a break from posting but this is the key point for many of the issues that we are seeing.That's why it matters.
I was a member for the first couple of years and dropped it. Have been to all but one Revival, on business with ticket that gets me into the Paddock and sometimes more.
Each to their own but (for me) forget the Festival, pay to go to the Members' Meeting and wing it on grandstands and food, but buy a hospitality package and a grandstand seat at the Revival. Perhaps Sunday only as it's often less busy. How does all that square costwise with being a Member?
The Paddock is same old stuff. The tunnel is nice I guess but not so far to walk to new bridge or other tunnel. It's not like being a member of the BRDC. Unless you live near Goodwood it's not easy to get to with relentless traffic that makes any journey a pain.
Each to their own but (for me) forget the Festival, pay to go to the Members' Meeting and wing it on grandstands and food, but buy a hospitality package and a grandstand seat at the Revival. Perhaps Sunday only as it's often less busy. How does all that square costwise with being a Member?
The Paddock is same old stuff. The tunnel is nice I guess but not so far to walk to new bridge or other tunnel. It's not like being a member of the BRDC. Unless you live near Goodwood it's not easy to get to with relentless traffic that makes any journey a pain.
Ian Wegg said:
<clip> The members' open day this year had traffic queues so long that it took up to an hour just to get parked and some people gave up before they got there...
I didn't know that Ian, tat sounds terrible for what should be a low-key, relaxed gathering. I didn't make it this this year but usually attend. I heard that everyday cars were mixed with classics and interesting ones. If so that's a pity because looking at the display of member's cars on the hard-standing (is that what's called the Ballroom Car Park?) is part of the attraction.
To be fair Richard it was still a pleasant day once in but much more crowded than previously. Members were venting their anger about the traffic on the Facebook group.
You are correct, there was no special parking for classics. We finally got parked at 1.00 in a field, by the time we got to the house tickets for the tour had all gone.
You are correct, there was no special parking for classics. We finally got parked at 1.00 in a field, by the time we got to the house tickets for the tour had all gone.
No ideas for a name said:
I am hopeful that something can be improved - but I am pretty well out of answers.
Is it worth starting a debate as to what, without taking anything away from Associates, could Goodwood 'give' to Members to restore the balance and desirability?
I know that quoting one's self might be the first sign of madness...Is it worth starting a debate as to what, without taking anything away from Associates, could Goodwood 'give' to Members to restore the balance and desirability?
I was going to chase up Goodwood today to see if there has been any progress a week after my chat.
I did post the above question last week, but didn't get any replies. Are we to assume that those who think it is broken can't think of any ways to fix it either?
I'm afraid I am in the I don't think it can be fixed camp.
Most of the benefits are now available to the "Associates". All we are really left with as members of an "exclusive club" is the paddock passes and the paddock has got far too busy recently, presumably because there are now twice as many members.
The only solution from my point of view is to cut the member numbers back down and abandon the Fellowship, neither of which would appeal to Goodwood. I'll be looking elsewhere in future.
Most of the benefits are now available to the "Associates". All we are really left with as members of an "exclusive club" is the paddock passes and the paddock has got far too busy recently, presumably because there are now twice as many members.
The only solution from my point of view is to cut the member numbers back down and abandon the Fellowship, neither of which would appeal to Goodwood. I'll be looking elsewhere in future.
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