What do we do about BBWF09

[Dave_M]

I don't know if it's of any use, but we're taking the S's to Gaydon, they've been helpful. You may be able to use that to negotiate something (i.e. 2 big TVR events). However, accomodation would be an issue.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Dave_M said:

I don't know if it's of any use, but we're taking the S's to Gaydon, they've been helpful. You may be able to use that to negotiate something (i.e. 2 big TVR events). However, accomodation would be an issue.

We had the Growl at Gaydon in 2004 and accomodation is a problem. About 25 of us stayed at the Ashorne which is a bit better/closer than Ettington to Gaydon but I would guess has less rooms.
We also had top pay for the car park area which is/was a stumbling block.
FFG

[Dave_M]

Hi FFG. I thought accomodation would be an issue. I believe we were asked for about £550 for the car park as well, but that has now been waived.

It is hard to find a venue that 'ticks all the boxes'.

Edited by Dave_M on Thursday 5th February 18:28

[B@man]

Just a thought but surely a Hotel with lots of bookings is much attractive to a potential buyer in which case it would be in the Hotels best interests ensure it's as full as possible ?

Yes I know it's a risk, but like the current Recession sorry Downturn I'm sure that the reporting in the media and the resulting doom and gloom has actually made the situation much worse as people are now more likely to keep their cash in their pocket (better than a bank as at least it grows fluff)

I don't know if it's possible but it would be good to know how the going into administration news has effected bookings for weddings and the like ?

[jon haines]

i ma willing to wait and see what happens with park hall,a joint meet with the griff boys sounds good but accomadation will be too limited to cater for us all and they might spit there dummies out when they hear a proper exhaust sound!!

[FlipFlopGriff]

jon haines said:

i ma willing to wait and see what happens with park hall,a joint meet with the griff boys sounds good but accomadation will be too limited to cater for us all and they might spit there dummies out when they hear a proper exhaust sound!!

There are a few loud Griffs about too!
FFG

[firefox1712]

As mentioned on a previous post that announced the receivership of the original venue, I would have thought that the booking will be safe. Perhaps a note in writing from the receivers that any deposits are safe would be appropriate.

If you are all dead set on a new venue however, then perhaps a college or university campus would be an alternative and a possible good idea. I've just looked at University of East Anglia and Essex University as examples, and I can't see provison for visiting conferences (BBWF?) at UEA, though I'm sure thay have hosted conferences in the past, but Essex do specifically cater for events such as conferences. They quote an all-in rate of dinner B&B at about £70 with rooms at about £56 PP.

There will also be very large car park areas - enough room for tests and so on!

Geographically, Colchester may not be best for lots of people from the North, and I merely quote it as an example.

Maybe someone would like to look in to the idea of a uni or college. Warwick uni? Not far from Ettington. I'm sure lots of you know a number of suitable campuses.

JJ

[grahamw48]

Beware of car park charges on Uni campuses though.

[chedder]

grahamw48 said:

Beware of car park charges on Uni campuses though.

Aye, NCP in some around here, damn quick off the mark to clamp too.

Edited by chedder on Sunday 8th February 17:08

[chedder]

Last few hours to vote chaps, and it's a close run thing at the moment.
Carob has found a great alternative venue, Herons Reach' close to TVR's ancestral home, similar layout to Ettington but a bigger car park!

Edited by chedder on Sunday 8th February 17:08

[firefox1712]

It seems such a shame to hasten the demise of the original venue by cancelling the booking. This sort of thing often happens when customers lose faith in a business when it goes into receivership. The receiver should give assurances as to the safety of deposits.

However, I can and do understand your sentiments if you feel your money is not safe.

The alternative venue proposed does appear to be rather encouraging.

JJ

[gsx600]

Not sure there is a deposit as such, unless we are now paying upfront for the hotel rooms or car park ?

Probably want a reassurance that the hotel would still be running at the proposed date, as organising nearer the time would be even worse !

[leorest]

gsx600 said:

...Probably want a reassurance that the hotel would still be running at the proposed date, as organising nearer the time would be even worse !

Seems like they should give us a deposit!

[firefox1712]

For future years - if we can't get back in at Ettington Chase next year and after, I would have thought that there would not be car parking charges in non-term time at colleges/universities. The event would be in the July to September recess.

JJ