Queens Court
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Contents |
Introduction
Queens Court ‘The Largest Most Popular Gay Bar & Nightclub in the City of Leeds’ is located on Lower Briggate, just off the main shopping high street. The club first opened in winter 1995 but after a major refurbishment, reopened as the new Queens Court and Loft on 9th May 2001 (Almey, 2007).
Outside Queens Court
Currently the capacity is 460 downstairs and 420 upstairs, with Thursdays nights between 8-12pm and Friday’s until 3am being the most popular nights. The club offers a wide range of products from a gay venue, to drinks offers and live DJ every night, relaxed café during the daytime accompanied by an extensive food menu (Queens Court, 2007).
Upstairs Dance area
Levels of Product at Queens Court
The illustration below shows the various levels of entertainment products offered by Queens Court. The core product is shown in the yellow circle (the main attraction for people becoming visitors of the venue), the key element like many nightclubs is the type of music, the venue or the price of drinks. The green section is the secondary level which is other factors that have will have an effect on the overall entertainment experience; however it is not the ultimate reason for attracting people to Queens Court. Lastly the red section is the tertiary level which supports the reasons for visitng and will have partial impact on someone choosing this particular venue but is not part of the core entertainment.
Visitors
The club has drinks offers every night from half price drinks everyday between 5-8pm to selected bottles only £1.50. Queens Court is best known for their ‘Pink Pounder’ nights on Mondays and Thursdays, where drinks only cost £1. The second largest event for bringing in custom is ‘Camp Attack’ Friday’s, with cheap drinks and selected music from the 80’s. As well as the good value drinks, Queens Court maintains a high reputation for a good party atmosphere.
Since the smoking ban was brought into action, Queens Court have noticed that it has had a positive impact on their business. A courtyard is available for smokers just outside the venue; heaters will be installed outside towards the winter months and inside there is a better atmosphere (Almey, 2007).
Amusements and Seating area downstairs
All nightclubs face competition from other venues but at this particular club the only main nearby competition is Bar Fibre (located next door and with whom share the courtyard) and Club Mission (further along the street). The reason for competition not being a threat is that Queens Court are only open till 3am, whereas the other two are open later so most of the customers head on to these venues after closing time Queens Court.
Future Plans
Like all entertainment venues Queens Court have prepared both short and long term plans in order to sustain a successful business. In the near future (short term) the club is to have a minor refurbishment in either December or January, this is done every 12 months. Looking further ahead (long term) the clubs main intention is to carry improving good business (FAB In The Loft, 2007a).
Event nights held at the club are planned by the management from both Queens Court and Fibre, normally 4-5 months ahead. Ideas for events are accompanied by certain factors which need to be considered including; health and safety, risk assessment, forms of marketing, number of staff, weather and previous sales. Gay Pride is a major event held on the streets of Leeds and organised by the 7 major gay venues in Leeds including Queens Court, this event is planned two months in advance and the emergency services have to be briefed on the event (Almey, 2007).
Marketing
Queens Court uses a number of methods to market and promote their events both internally and externally. Within the vicinity there are flyers and posters advertising various events and drinks offers. In addition to this the venue has a website and a regular advert in Bent magazine. However the main method of bringing in custom has been through word of mouth, which has also helped to encourage people from around different cities in the UK including Scotland, Manchester, London and Newcastle to the venue (Almey, 2007).
Structure of Management
Within the organisation there has to be a structure of management at Queens Court it is broken down into three main roles, the diagram below shows the hierarchy of positions:
References
Queens Court. (2007a) FAB In The Loft. (Leaflet)
Queens Court. (2007) Queens Court. [Internet] Leeds, Yorkshire. URL available from: <http://www.queens-court.co.uk/index.html> [Accessed 12th November, 2007]
Gay Pride. (2007) Gay Pride Leeds. [Internet] Leeds, Yorkshire. URL available from: <http://www.pinkuk.com/community/newsArticle.asp?nid=450> [Accessed 12th Novemeber, 2007]
Almey, S.(2007) Interview with Simon Almey, Deputy General Manager, 13th November, 2007
