The Venue for a UK Tournament

Where would be the ideal venue?  Where would you be happy to play?  It would need to be quiet over the weekend for players to concentrate on their games but with an atmosphere which is quite welcoming.  Any ideas please post.

Sports Halls 

Schools ... 

We can say schools or sports halls but where in the UK would be suitable??

I have no problem the venue being outside of Manchester but I wouldn't be able to attend. 

More than happy to help set it up though

It depends on what scale you want. In any case, Birmingham, or somewhere in the Midlands, is a sensible choice as it is central for all and we want it to be accessible. Also, there are many places for hire here of varying sizes - the only problem is cost and availability.

Personally I think somewhere in Yorkshire is more accessible than Birmingham but thats just me 

I can see that idea. But not Sheffield - too hilly.

Somewhere more obscure like Coventry can be good and easily accessed, good accommodation and possibly cheaper because of the size.

How about Leeds then?? Doesn't Leeds have an airport?? AND a train station??

We shall move ahead with hosting the tournament at a school in their sports hall.  This would be more beneficial and I shall post this idea on our main group, "Team Britain".

Remember try to promote this idea of a weekend tournament to harness support and possible get some help.  I can't do this all alone and I need your help to get this successful.

Yes ... a weekend thing ... I am still racking my brains trying to do what I can 

A school in spring or summer mat be hard, whistle, because they'll have to cover their staff costs for cleaners etc.

Also, you have to bear in mind they'll have to carpet or otherwise protect the sports hall from normal footwear, and this may incur further costs.

Beyond that, it's set loaning etc. hat may be the problem - perhaps it would be better to enquire at a chess playing school such as those who entered the National Schools' Championship (http://www.englishchess.org.uk/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=59)? They could lend some sets and clocks etc. - it might be a start!

Just a thought - good ideas so far!

Thank you for that feedback FlyingLizard.  I hadn't thought about that.  Well atleast we are all thinking the same.  Good link for the schools.

Hampshire??

We all agree that a school would be best but we still need the location accessible to everyone 

You're welcome, whistleblower - I'm in my final year of school, so I'm still in tune with these vibes and thoughts.

And yes, firestorm, we do need a location - I suggest we look at those sort of schools available there first.

I heard someone saying that a lot of ECF tournaments are held in seaside towns because they may be cheaper??

If we are looking at central places then Bristol and Swindon are neither but looking at google maps we could maybe be looking at possibly Leicester, Peterborough or even Nottingham. 

One thing though ... we do know at least that Leicester has an airport so accessibility would be made a bit easier?

True true, obviously i'd say Bristol, just so i could come :P But on a serious note, I've been to Walsall before, and that's quite central. You have to make it central to the whole of the UK remember, not just the north or the south. with that, Leicester or Birmingham are very good candidates. Birmingham is bigger, so maybe room rental is more expensive? Also, Leicester is quite small, and tournaments like this should help encourage juniors and young players to  come along.

Yes ... I think if we are being honest then Leicester may be our best option.

As for prices I can take a look round at some possible venues and ring round a few places ...

Seems to me you might be trying to do this the wrong way around and a bit of research is needed:-

1.  Ask how many are actually interested and how far would they be willing to go, for instance an event like this in manchester would be of interest to me but any more than 50 miles down the road and I would rapidly be losing interest unless a very nice hotel was involved.  Whichever venue you pick most people will not come I suspect.

2.  How are you going to fund it, you will need to hire chess sets and a venue, this is a significant financial commitment someone will need to make, I think I would want to be very sure of my numbers first.  You can find out likely costs without fixing on a particular place.  Costs will vary across the country of course but maybe not much

3.  If you can get past 1 and 2 then venues is next:-

(a)  School hall.  (try a boarding school at school hoiliday time, it would have accomodation.  But do we really want to play chess in a school hall

(b)  Sports facilities.  Blackpool chess congress was at the football club last year, I did not go but the venue was well liked by those who did.  Of course a town like that also comes with lots of cheap accomodation.

(c)  Hotel.. Approach a hotel off season with good facilities and people willing to stay there then you might well get a good deal.

There are plenty of chess congresses up and down the country so if its just the social meeting thing you want then pick one nd get as many people along as possible, if its a seperate tourney within that congress you want I have no doubt that could be arranged, they always struggle for numbers