On 8/17/05, Dan Grey <dangrey(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Today's update
Lol, I was looking around Manchester on Google Maps (trying to figure
out where the Fallowfield Campus is) when I noticed a large campus
belonging to the Univeristy of Salford.
They have a 500 seat LT for only £750+VAT/day (the Chapman Building),
which is very reasonable, together with a 200 seat LT and plenty of
smaller rooms. They also have a low day rate at £21+VAT. However they
can only accommodate 248 people on site :-(. I've rung them and they
are putting together a quote for us, and will e-mail me it.
Yes, I was just looking at them this morning, and posted their web
details on the [[m:Wikimania 2006/UK bid]] page. The photos looked a
little bit dowdy but I can always go over and have a look. It's also
very well connected to the centre. On accommodation, that's not bad,
and there are other hostels in Manchester, one very good one in
Picadilly Gardens, (Hatters, capacity 185) who I've already been on
to. There's no reason we couldn't organise a bus system ourselves
shuttling people around if needs be, although easy walking distance
will always be the optimum choice.
I also managed to get through to Brum (eventually), only to be told
one organiser was on holiday and the other was in a meeting for the
rest of the day. Will try *again* tomorrow...
:-)
Finally, Reading got back to me by e-mail (*still* no
phone number,
lol!). They can offer a newly-refurbished building including 400 and
150 seat LTs, lots of computer rooms and class rooms, coffee bar, full
AV gear, WiFi etc *in the same building* + all the accommodation we
want right next door. No prices for room hire in the e-mail though, so
I've asked for a quote. But as they offer the cheapest accommodation
they are looking strong at the moment.
That's great. You're still going to have to sell it to me on location
though - I know you've already put it down as a "con" - but I'm really
thinking *transport*. But thanks for all this Dan :-)
Cormac