Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which begins on Thursday, operators of restaurants, bars, game houses and public viewing centres in Lagos are set for brisk business in Lagos.
Their readiness stems from the anticipation that there will be increased sales and revenue and patronage during the Coupe de Mundial which will last from June 14 to July 15.
Some of the operators who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, said they were prepared to welcome football lovers to their facilities.
They said that they had increased the number of their staff, acquired new TV screens, added more alternative menu to their culinary and other giveaways among others to satisfy the football fans.
Opeyemi Akande, Manager of Crescent Inn and Bars, Lekki Phase I, said that engaging customers during the world’s biggest sport competition was a lot tasking and required a bit of innovation to lure and retain clients.
According to him, reinventing and rebranding outlets with new furnishings and staff during major football seasons was the best way to keep clients flooding into ones business.
“The World Cup is the biggest tournament that attracts people to business locations like ours, and we are taking advantage of it to make some profit.
“Our preparations started two months ago with a lot of analysis on the teams that qualified for the competition.
“We also carried out feasibility on our environment with the idea of knowing the existing and newly opened bars within our location, what facilities they have that we don’t and so on.
“All of these made us to decide to invest on bigger screens, plus special dishes and discounts after consumption of a certain number of drinks,’’ he said.
He disclosed that he only added a few more staff to serve clients, adding that the issue of security had been sorted out with the employment of bouncers.
“I have decided to also employ for just the season of the World Cup six new female staff to boost our patronage.
“I am not perturbed about security issues at all but if the need arises, we already have guards that can handle such.
“This is hospitality industry, we are preparing for the World Cup and we are well prepared to host the world at Crescents Inn and Bars,’’ he said.
Joseph Ibe, Sales Representative, Garnish Place, along Badore Road in Ajah, said that his organisation was doing all it could to create a comfortable atmosphere with delightful staff, delicious food and drinks to serve clients during the World Cup.
“Garnish Place has been the biggest venue for football spectator in this locality, and we totally understand how to meet the needs of our clients.
“One of the major complaints we have had has been that of separating smokers from non-smokers during games and that has led to building a well-furnished enclosed and separate tents for smokers.
“Another innovation is the addition of local dishes that are budget-friendly and filling, compared to just snacks we used to sell,’’ he said.
Bukunmi Adeyemi, Manager, Richardson Viewing Centre, New Road Junction, after Egbosun town, said that her outfit was standard and could host any number of people.
“We have enough hands and mouth-watering services to host people for any event.
“There is no need to upgrade anything ahead of the World Cup,’’ she said. (NAN)