Villa Park Redevelopment

[Ducksworthy]

Right, I get you. Thought you were listing places people would use instead.

I had started typing out (and deleted it as I thought it probably sounded stupid) wondering whether for games and gigs there might in future be something could be done with the Aston Hotel as part of a hospitality package. Lean heavily into a higher end Victorian experience for overnight stay and food. Only 50ish rooms as you say - I don’t think we’re there yet, but if we have to think outside the box a bit then why not. Also an option for conferences when nothing else is on; stay nearby the conference venue, places to go for a drink after.

[Percy McCarthy]

Right, I get you. Thought you were listing places people would use instead.

I had started typing out (and deleted it as I thought it probably sounded stupid) wondering whether for games and gigs there might in future be something could be done with the Aston Hotel as part of a hospitality package. Lean heavily into a higher end Victorian experience for overnight stay and food. Only 50ish rooms as you say - I don’t think we’re there yet, but if we have to think outside the box a bit then why not. Also an option for conferences when nothing else is on; stay nearby the conference venue, places to go for a drink after.

Only 54 at the moment, but that’s as housing, so not sure if that could be bumped up if they were hotel rooms. Villa owns the Victorian Hall next door, so I’m guessing that could be converted if they wanted more.

They got planning permission in ‘98 for 100+ rooms to be built onto the back of the Holte Hotel.

The local growth plan mentions support for an hotel at Witton local centre. The area is, after all, home to the most beautifully named football club, inventor of league football, founder member of the Football League (the world’s first), founder member of the Premier League, ranked 7th best club in the world (Opta), has the 14th highest revenue (Deloitte), and is the 16th most valuable (Forbes), a 17th century Jacobean mansion, an historic park, and a church that was probably founded in the 9th century. It has hosted a World Cup, soon-to-be two European championships, England games, Duran Duran, Springsteen, Black Sabbath’s last ever gig, more FA Cup semi-finals than any other ground, Billy Graham and his mate God (the footballer), Pele, Johan Cruyff and Buffalo fucking Bill. It has two railway stations and the busiest motorway interchange in Europe on the doorstep. The future king of England is a regular visitor. Birmingham City Council are damn right it’s a world class destination. 

[eye digress]

Billy Graham [...]

I actually went to that gig, just to get on to the pitch at Villa Park. Stood before the Holte. Picked some grass from the turf and tucked it away in the plastic pouch provided to house prayer regalia. Went brown almost immediately; kept it for months.

[Percy McCarthy]

Billy Graham [...]

I actually went to that gig, just to get on to the pitch at Villa Park. Stood before the Holte. Picked some grass from the turf and tucked it away in the plastic pouch provided to house prayer regalia. Went brown almost immediately; kept it for months.

He did every night for a fortnight I think.

[maidstonevillain]

Billy Graham [...]

I actually went to that gig, just to get on to the pitch at Villa Park. Stood before the Holte. Picked some grass from the turf and tucked it away in the plastic pouch provided to house prayer regalia. Went brown almost immediately; kept it for months.

He did every night for a fortnight I think.

I recall he did about a week. A friend of mine was singing in the choir, and I went the night it was rumoured Cliff Richard was turning up. As it happens, I think he turned up a different night.
In the same week I also went to see Arthur Scargill at Walsall Town Hall. there was very little to choose between them. Just preaching different messages. And the police weren't taking photographs of my number plate when I left Villa Park.

[eye digress]

Billy Graham [...]

I actually went to that gig, just to get on to the pitch at Villa Park. Stood before the Holte. Picked some grass from the turf and tucked it away in the plastic pouch provided to house prayer regalia. Went brown almost immediately; kept it for months.

He did every night for a fortnight I think.

Ah, doesn't quite feel so special, then. 😀

Bizarrely, I also have a vague recollection of the Scargill gig - not that I went. Must have been '87, '88?

[Percy McCarthy]

I think I saw Scargill at Digbeth Civic Hall during the strike, or it might have been the Scottish bloke, Mick something?

[Sexual Ealing]

Mick McGahey. My dad knew him a bit.

[Percy McCarthy]

Mick McGahey. My dad knew him a bit.

That’s the fella.