Indoor Venue Needed for Polo Tournament

I'd be happy to drive to Coventry once a week to play indoors, once a week and I'd pay up to £10. But I'm not sure there are many other people from here who would. I suggested hiring a place in Highgate (which I later found to be unsuitable - it's too small) for cheaper than that and it was a no go-er.

I had a thought...Play on Business Rates
There are many industrial properties that are vacant around the city. These properties have rates liabilities to the owners when not occupied (once occupied the liability shift to the lessee). If we setup BHM Bike Polo as a not for profit we could use for 42 days (shortest occupancy period to qualify for reset of the rates free period) and the owner would get a 6 month rates free period. The 42 days would be rates free and a not for profit is automatically given 80% rates reduction with the 20% remainder at the councils discretion. Of course we would not pay any rent or utilities for the space as the owner is going to receive the benefit of the rates free period.... still needs some work, but thought I would through it out to the group.

Sounds complicated, but awesome. We've talked about trying to find a warehouse or something before, but our main concern has been insurance. I've seen links to other people doing similar things in Denmark.

I can get insurance for most things, I recently did Event car parking for the Pink concert at the ricoh arena coventry, can ask the insurer what the rate would be for a third party location. with that in mind Lucas' idea sounds bangs on, just go tto find a suitable place, I know a few by me (just off J3 M6) which are emtpy and fairly large, I also know the landowner the units sit on.. so maybe there's something in this?

I think the other hurdle to overcome would be barriers. Making them ourselves from wood (even 30cm high sides/3ft high backs) would cost a fair bit and probably take a day's labour. It would totally be worth it thought, and with an indoor court to call our own, it would open up the potential for paid-for tournaments (teams are generally happy with £10-20 registration fees, which could offset the cost) and sponsorship is also an option.

Hiring barriers would probably cost a lot more, if it was to be a regular-game venue.

I guess first step is to find a venue (South Birmingham - Highgate, Digbeth, Balsall Heath, Moseley, Kings Heath, Hall Green seem the most accessible areas). I've had a bit of a nose around, but gave up due to the expected insurance/barriers problem. Lucas' idea may make these summourntable though.

the old ford garage in moseley?

soccerarena.co.uk - barriers

(Kind of) venue update - the City Centre Manager from the Council has returned my email. She says she's meeting with a colleague today to discuss the matter, and will get back to me.

Any news?

Nope. If I haven't heard anything by Monday, I'll chase her up.

Barriers - I have good connections with contractors that would be able to fabricate something. Another thought is portable barriers. they are light until you fill with water.

Link to site for barriers. Not cheap, but I would think they can be found secondhand.
link here

those barriers are Ideal because they link together properly, so even if only the corner ones are weighted, the rest would stay in place.

i can get plenty of wood from work..stacks if i start collecting, they burn old pallets etc so they cannot really complain if i nick it..really..can they?

Doing them a favour in the long run..and us loonies =)

Here are some of the key point to a lease I would be looking for....

Key features of the standard Meanwhile Lease include:
• A zero or peppercorn rent for the occupier
• A fixed term which provides the landlord with full vacant possession at the end of the lease with no tenancy rights being deemed to have accrued to the tenant
• Landlord and Tenant lease-breaks on short periods of notice (suggested periods are 2 weeks for the tenant, 4 weeks for the landlord). There is a suggested minimum occupation period of 3 months, although this can be deleted to allow a notice to be served at any time.
• Responsibility for business rates by the tenant
• Option for a damage deposit to be held by the landlord
• Limitations on alterations to the property, only to allow for signage and installation of loose shop fittings (or otherwise as agreed)
• Limited repair obligations for the tenant, with a photographic schedule of condition required and a provision that excepts "fair wear and tear"
• Use and hours restrictions and an option to provide that the use may not be for commercial gain or profit
• The possibility of inserting additional agreed terms (in Part II of the lease). Service Charge arrangements may vary – some landlords may recoup the buildings insurance and possibly some overheads through a monthly service charge.

Now we need to find some space and landlords willing to talk. This will be tricky as the system here lacks transparency as the agents rule the property world in the UK. Will ask the leasing folks I know how to find space.

Re: barriers. The 2009 Euros used those, they were okay, but not really worth the cost (in my opinion). They move a LOT when people crash into them, and they're not very high, either. Although they do have many beer-can-holding-places along the top, so all things being equal....

Here are a couple useful documents if anyone cares to get bogged down in the legal details. And for future reference.

Playing Field Licence agreement - Word Doc

Lease for space - Word Doc

Re: Barriers. were they filled with water? they each weigh 400 pounds when filled. they are expensive and I think MDF and wood frame with sand bags would be perfect.

Re: barriers. The 2009 Euros used those, they were okay, but not really worth the cost (in my opinion). They move a LOT when people crash into them, and they're not very high, either. Although they do have many beer-can-holding-places along the top, so all things being equal....

people can sit to watch which is more chilled?
Optimism of sunny outdoor games

I rent a unit for mototcycle shizz with a group of friends, so could get all the ins and outs..

people can sit to watch which is more chilled?
Optimism of sunny outdoor games

If they're looking to have their legs severed. (Especially with your James Bond aluminium discs).

I don't know if they had water in. But the lowness and the gappiness and the expensiveness just adds up. I like the idea of wood+struts and/or sandbags. I reckon we could make and keep them for the same price as hiring plastic ones. The only challenge is storage.

7 of us pay 15 quid a week each for said unit, so if that equates to more people chipping in it would cost fa.

Also, a permanent address equals said people, being classed as a small business, this is how me and my friends roll.

We get 6 month rates breaks and trade accounts, its a winner.

Just need enough peeps to make it pocket money i reckon..

Yep, I'm on board. But I think we'd struggle for more than 5 or 6 paid-up members. Times is hard, ain't you heard? Cycling+polo=tightfuckers.

If you can be bothered, look back through the polo thread. I suggested a similar thing last year, to no avail. I don't want to piss on your cornflakes though, because now there's different people involved, and it could be different.

i can get plenty of wood from work..stacks if i start collecting, they burn old pallets etc so they cannot really complain if i nick it..really..can they?

If we can get a place, this will be crucial. From what I've seen on Cambridge's forum, they also have a hot-pallet link-up. Man, if any city within 50-100 miles of London finds an indoor venue, they'll be on.to.something.

I can honestly say I cannot in any way afford more than my fuel to and from Polo at the moment.. unless someone gives us a job?