Industry News

Stadium staff among those to benefit from Brighton’s promotion

Brighton and Hove Albion has given every member of staff, from stadium stewards to receptionists, a 10 per cent increase on their May pay packet following the English football club’s promotion to the top-tier Premier League.

Brighton finished runners-up to Newcastle United in the second-tier Championship to secure promotion to the top flight, and the club’s board has rewarded each member of staff with a bonus to mark the achievement.

The Daily Mail newspaper reports that staff at Brighton will receive a promotion bonus equivalent to 10 per cent of their monthly salary in May and, based on their performance over the past 12 months, a possible further 10 per cent.

Chief executive Paul Barber told the Mail: “If you want a high performance environment you can’t just focus on the athletes. When we had our poor season, two and a half seasons ago, and we brought Chris (Hughton, Brighton’s manager) in, we realised that we needed to galvanise the whole staff.

“The bonus system was a big part of that. But so was providing everyone with healthy food free of charge, and creating an environment – at the training ground for instance – where everyone eats in the same place.”

Earlier this month, Brighton announced that its Amex Stadium would undergo a £5m (€5.9m/$6.5m) renovation project over the summer ahead of the club’s Premier League debut.

Improvements to the stadium will include the installation of a new LED lighting system, along with a new TV gantry, and a TV studio and hospitality area in the south-east corner.