The man looking to lead Sussex back into the black has pinpointed one big lesson they can learn from Albion.
Interim chief executive Mark West is aiming to get Sussex back into profit after losses which led to a points deduction and spending cap.
He says key to that is making the most of their prime site in Hove both on matchdays and around the year.
And he likes what he has seen at the Amex as he eyes possibilities for the 1st Central County Ground.
The Terrace sports bar is almost a year old and proves very popular well before matches.
Fans will still be enjoying the facilities two hours after full-time and it has been used for events away from matchdays.
Sussex clearly have a longer period in which to entertain spectators during cricket matches.
The Sussex Cricketer pub is always popular and has been lauded by former England skipper Michael Vaughan on BBC radio as an excellent sports bar.
Cricket-themed bar Sixes opened last searon.
Despite financial problems, the future of first-class cricket at Hove is not in doubt.
West told The Argus: “Hove is the home of Sussex cricket.
“We need to be about retention, with relationships, and building longer term relationships.
“I think that’s what sponsors, that’s what members and that’s where patrons and fans being more engaged.
“These people are guests. When they come here, they expect a good day out, just like when you go to the Amex.
“Look at the customer experience of the Amex. Look what they did with The Terrace. It’s a brilliant idea.
“And what they have done with The Terrace isn’t detracting from their food and beverage that’s inside the ground. You still see both areas full.
“It just means that people are staying longer, arriving early. We need to get that for cricket.
“We need to make Hove a destination, and we need to make a compelling offer that people come here early, and they stay longer.
“We’ve got the Sixes bar here now. That’s a great innovation again. It’s a brilliant thing to do.
“That’s where we need to support, but we have to work, and we have to earn that.
“We have to earn the respect and we need to bring people back to Hove and that’s our responsibility
Sussex will confirm their financial results for last year at next month’s AGM and the expectation is the number will take their deficit for 2024 and 2025 combined into seven figures.
The aim is to reduce those losses in 2026 and break even in 2027.
