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Steve (birminghamfan) and I have started to think about possible locations for a meet up before the Birmingham show. We have two thoughts at the moment:

Option 1: meet up at a pub/ restaurant on the perimeter of the National Exhibition Centre, where the LG Arena is located. The place I have in mind is about 1.5 miles' easy walk from the arena through the grounds of the NEC.

Option 2: meet up at a pub in Birmingham city centre then take a train from the city to the venue for the show.

The question is: how are people planning to get to the LG Arena/ where are people staying? A city centre location could be nice but it might rule out anyone who is planning to drive to the NEC or who will be staying at one of the NEC hotels and who would prefer to meet up closer to the venue.

Thoughts please!

Wendy

Well I definitely want to be part of the meet up, but haven't even begun to think about the logistics yet. Don't even know whether I will stay or drive home after the concert. City centre location sounds good, but not sure how that would work if I'm driving, unless I park at NEC earlier in the day and get the train in.... is that feasible? Anyway, looking forward to your suggestions!

Joy

Thanks for your input Joy. There's no information on car park opening times on the NEC website but I'll give them a call on Monday and see what I can find out (I'm in Edinburgh today for Runrig's 40th anniversary concert at the castle tonight!)

Wendy

I'll do a bit of research too, although it's years since I've been to my hometown..... which is kind of why I fancy city centre!
We're away from home too right now in Vancouver. Seems strange not to be going to a concert, but I'm getting a vicarious thrill from being in Canada again!

Joy

Hadn't looked at the information closely enough .
i hadn't realised the concert is at the NEC - i had somehow imagined it was in the arena by the canals

Hate the NEC complex - but will love the concert

Sorry ... got sidetracked. Will check out NEC parking and possible meet up location next week.

David - the LG Arena is a MUCH better venue than the NIA in the centre of Birmingham (the one by the canals). The sound is invariably good there (but not at the NIA!) and they have done it up since Leonard last played there in 2008. The bar and catering areas are much more spacious now, the entrance through the turnstiles is quick and the seating is much more comfortable. Personally I think it's now one of the best arenas in the country.

Wendy

I have a venue - The Shakespeare on Lower Temple St , in the city centre . Decent beer , food all day even on Sundays , if I know approximate numbers I can reserve a table or two. Its just opposite the doors of New St station , lots of trains to and from Bham International for the LG , or we can share taxis - just outside too All those staying near the LG can just get a train into New St for the pub. Its a proper characterful pub . Maybe meet about 4 pm on the day of the concert ? Will look forward to seeing you all Steve

birminghamfan wrote:

bard11.jpg

I have a venue - The Shakespeare on Lower Temple St , in the city centre . Decent beer , food all day even on Sundays , if I know approximate numbers I can reserve a table or two. Its just opposite the doors of New St station , lots of trains to and from Bham International for the LG , or we can share taxis - just outside too All those staying near the LG can just get a train into New St for the pub. Its a proper characterful pub . Maybe meet about 4 pm on the day of the concert ? Will look forward to seeing you all Steve

Sounds perfect, Steve! Count us in!

Joy

For anyone who might be driving to the concert but want to leave their car at the arena car park and take the train in to Birmingham for the meet up:

I spoke to the NEC Traffic Dept this morning who told me that the East 1 car park will be open from 7:00 am so you can park your car any time after that then take the train in to Birmingham and have a leisurely look around the city before the meet up. They confirmed that the standard concert parking charge of £8 would apply even if you parked there for a whole day.

Birmingham is a lovely city to walk around, particularly on a nice day. The shopping areas are largely pedestrianised and there is lots to see. I barely recognise the city I grew up in!!

Here's a sampler:

General (with lots of links!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_City_Centre

Victoria Square, with the historic Town Hall and the "Floozie in the Jacuzzi":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_S ... Birmingham

And the canals area:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_Street_Basin

Remember Leonard is a fan of Tony Hancock viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28032&hilit=hancock ? There is a memorial to the Birmingham born comedian in Old Square: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/hancock

For those who want to do some shopping, there is the award winning Bull Ring: http://www.bullring.co.uk/ which is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays.

More information, including guides and maps for the city, is available here: http://visitbirmingham.com/

Wendy

Mabeanie1 wrote:Sorry ... got sidetracked. Will check out NEC parking and possible meet up location next week.

David - the LG Arena is a MUCH better venue than the NIA in the centre of Birmingham (the one by the canals). The sound is invariably good there (but not at the NIA!) and they have done it up since Leonard last played there in 2008. The bar and catering areas are much more spacious now, the entrance through the turnstiles is quick and the seating is much more comfortable. Personally I think it's now one of the best arenas in the country.

Wendy

Thanks for that - helps me to rethink my old prejudices about all things NEC.
I'm nearly over those old memories of struggling to find my car in freezing fog one november years ago.

cohenadmirer wrote:I'm nearly over those old memories of struggling to find my car in freezing fog one november years ago.

A further thought about car parking to help you avoid the problem of trying to find your car in the dark (though hopefully freezing fog won't be an issue in early September!) We always park at the railway station (£5 for the day after, I think, 10:00 am) and walk across from there or you can park in one of the multi storey car parks at the airport, which is only a little further away - though this can be a very expensive choice if you are parking for a long time. Both options will avoid the queues to get out of the arena car parks. The airport is the best option for a very quick getaway because it is more expensive and fewer concert goers will park there.

Wendy

Mabeanie1 wrote:
We always park at the railway station (£5 for the day after, I think, 10:00 am) and walk across from there or you can park in one of the multi storey car parks at the airport, which is only a little further away - though this can be a very expensive choice if you are parking for a long time. Both options will avoid the queues to get out of the arena car parks. The airport is the best option for a very quick getaway because it is more expensive and fewer concert goers will park there.

Wendy

Thanks Wendy - that is very helpful. The train station looks like a good parking option, though i would imagine it could be easy to confuse train and airport parking! Convenient ,too, for anyone wanting to park then hop on a train for the city centre meetup

http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/200 ... _4769.html

Sorry, being a Sunday my transport options were limited. I'm not arriving in Birmigham until 4.30 and my hotel is out near the NEC. I think I'll need to get sandwiches at M&S.

On another note, has anyone got their tickets for Birmngham yet?

We haven't received our tickets yet.

Nor us - hope they come soon