I think the management of Gala know about about my plans, and they've not banned me yet. I'm sure my club will generate extra business for Gala by bringing in players to Nottingham who may use the gaming tables at Gala after they've played poker at my club anyway. At some point I guess I'll speak to the management to ensure good relations going forward, I've been a member for 15 years so hopefull they can.
The interest in the club is growing, I can't get to the bar at Gala without 3 or 4 people asking me how things are going with the club and my inbox on my hotmail is constantly busy. Its nice that so many people are interested. I think a lot of people have read the posts on Blonde, and at least 10 people came up to me tonight and said they think the membership fee is a good idea, and they would have no problem paying it. I'm aware that people who would have a problem are unlikely to say this to my face, but it's still positive feedback.
I went out with my old school friends on Saturday night, and they couldn't stop talking about the club, although I strongly expect they are expecting free VIP membership and a free tab in the bar and restuarant! Everyone is poker mad.
It's also nice that so many people have expressed an interest in working for the club, I still feel that it will be a tough job to recruit 50-60 great staff, but we probably have over 40% of that number "earmarked" already, although when reality happens, I'm sure some people will have second thoughts. I really want to pay people good wages but have not finalised what the pay structure will be yet.
I won't be trying to pinch staff, dealers etc, from Notts Gala, as a few people have suggested to me, the dealers in club will not need "licences" to deal poker, and we will have plenty of time before the club opens to train people to deal and work in the hospitality areas. Its more important to find the right personalites, and there is a huge student population is Nottingham, so we should be able to get plenty of part-time help aswell, maybe 25 hours per week, 3 shifts. I've had 5 poker players ask whether they could wrok as dealers in the club - they are sick off bad beats!
This week I'll be spending time planning the layout of the club, meeting with the Gaming lawyers and writing job specifications so that I can show "potential employees" what their responsibilites will be. Its just chipping away each day, working down my "to do list" and ensuring that the people who are already on board are doing their stuff.
I still want to recruit 1 professional poker player to assist the card room managers planning the way that the card room works, and running "poker schools" in the club etc, but there's no rush with this. This is probably the last appointment I need to make for the "committee". I want this person to be a househould name in poker but be prepared to reduce their current poker travelling schedule. Ims sure I'll find the right person over the next 3-6 months.
Some people may wonder why I am recruiting for the club so soon, maybe 12 months before we open the doors; the reason is twofold, so they can be involved in the setting up stage and also so that I can give them plenty of notice, as some people may have to relocate to Nottingham to do their jobs.
