Celtic are beginning to put commercial opportunities at the club back together after the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland.
The club have provided two updates to supporters in recent days about club shops and the Number 7 restaurant at Celtic Park.
Firstly, all Celtic shops in Scotland apart from the one at Glasgow Airport will be open from Monday.
The club have put in place social distancing measures and provided guidelines on the official website.
They’ve also activated some discounts, the highlight being 50% off this season’s kit and training gear, which is all due to be refreshed in the summer.
Elsewhere, the club are also taking bookings for the Number 7 restaurant at the stadium, with diners set to be allowed in from late May, after the football season is over.
It was announced on Friday that three-course lunch menus are available to pre-pay as the club look to capitalise on what will surely be a big surge of support for the hospitality sector in Scotland over the coming summer months.
Extensive pandemic-related protocols will be at place at the stadium eatery, including temperature checks, which is perhaps a sign of what will be in place when fans are eventually allowed through the turnstiles for real.
Some fans will be cynical about Celtic money-making attempts but these are much-needed steps
Celtic announcing the above hasn’t exactly gone down well on social media, with some supporters taking a more cynical view of the updates. Nobody likes being treated like a customer during such a tumultuous season, especially when there’s a dearth of communication on issues that matter to fans.
It’s crucial that Celtic get back to normality with different revenue streams as quickly as possible.
If the club can demonstrate people safely visiting the stadium and club stores, it will only strengthen the case for fans to be allowed back to Celtic Park too.
Fans play a crucial part in sustaining the coffers of the club and, while they do take that for granted, I have no doubt that fans will continue to show incredible support for the club across different departments.
I’m all for anything that signals we’re coming to the end of this pandemic saga.
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