Visiting Coventry

Hi Peter, thanks for the 'heads up' we haven't heard anything from the hotel at Wigan, but as you say things could change. I've already been trying to get tickets for the BCLM online.

Hi Wearethemods been waiting to hear how you went on with your trip to Coventry and Wigan with the lock-down. As you may know I cancelled my bookings for Premier Inn & Travelodge but I've started again, two this year, October and November that I can cancel up to 1pm. Some good bookings on just now - December, 5 days Christmas shopping, Coventry £116, July £144 in Coventry, both Thursday to Monday. I have booked, only thing with the new bookings you have to cancel before 28 days to get your money refunded, as before it was 1pm on arrival day, PS Keep it in same post. It's Mrs Dougie's 80 birthday this December, For anyone that remembers, she is still in contact with her long lost friend but not meeting up through the lockdown. Edited by member, 6th Sep 2020 3:07 pm

Hi Dougie. Our trip went well, the Premier Inn at Wellingborough where we stayed for three nights didn't have air con and at 30 degrees in a small room was a tad stifling! The room at the Premier Inn, Belgrade Plaza, being a newish hotel, did and was a lot more comfortable for the three nights there. The Duty Manager gave us a tip about parking at the adjacent car park and that was to purchase a 7 Day ticket for £14. Because we were visiting family and friends using the facility 3/4 times daily it was the obvious (and a much cheaper option). Next time we'll know what to do! The Black Country Living Museum was very interesting and we will certainly go again when everything is open and the buses are running. We did sample the fish & chips, albeit we had to queue along the street! Our next stop was Belfast, (we had originally planned to fly from Birmingham back in March with Flybe) but had to change to Liverpool with EasyJet, primarily to visit the Titanic Museum. For the three days we were there it didn't stop raining and only pubs that sold food were open. Apparently it was against the law to enter premises for the purposes of having a drink only, however you could sit outside if they had a beer garden or suchlike! We ended up having a late lunch and evening meal in Wetherspoons! Our stop at Wigan on the return was for only one night and we didn't have a problem, that said we've just received a penalty charge for not paying a toll at the Mersey Gateway Bridge, which we knew nothing about! We didn't see any payment drive-throughs unlike the M6 Toll.

Thanks for your reply Glad everything went well for you but a tip when booking, book a family room, say 2 adults & 1 child, bigger room and 3 beds. I've only just started to use the car park. Did you get to Wigan? Some good Travelodge places just out of town if you’re ever down this way.

Thanks for the tip, Dougie, will definitely do that next time! Our stop at Wigan was on the outskirts, Jct 27 M6. Will also consider Wigan next time for a stop on the way. This time we stopped at a Premier Inn at Penrith on the way down to break the journey up.

Not had chance to visit Coventry over the past year even though I had them booked but always got my money back. Anyone that would like a 5 day stay in the city centre Premier Inn, letting you know some good offers on. I've booked my room 208 a family room for July, Sun-Friday £175 - catch is you now have to cancel 28 days before you go to get your money back, or pay extra insurance. We should see some changes if we get down.

Decided to give town a go yesterday with the free city parking the council are offering. We weren't there long. Firstly Whitefriars car park was closed as it’s now a COVID testing centre so much to Mrs Neilsyard's annoyance I decided to park in the Gosford Street car park underneath the ring road. I should've known it wasn't going to go well when my wife stepped out of the car and there was a squashed rat lying next to the car (not from us I might add though!). Town is a real mish-mash currently. The work on the Burges and removal of elements of the old civic centres and Uni are going ok but the Precinct is a right mess with all the work going on - I know it’s been wet but it’s meant there is mud and puddles everywhere. And with the work ongoing and them trying to encourage social distancing it’s impossible as everyone is being squeezed down narrow sections because of the building barriers and queues to get in to every shop taking up room. Market Point having now gone looks so much better and open but we only managed about 30 minutes and decided to go with no pubs or coffee shops available to sit in either. Ice rink looks good in the Cathedral and some lovely Xmas cards in the Cathedral shop (there is a real opportunity for someone to sell Old Cov cards and calendars as no-one has them anywhere). Overall I'd suggest going in in the evening to see the lights and work but not for any shopping or eating/drinking!! Edited by member, 22nd Dec 2020 1:44 pm