New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[wolfheze]

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Hassaan]

I think alas we have seen the end of airports being enthusiast friendly, we had our good days folks at Elmdon - Westen End viewing picnic area/ Viewing Gallery above the Old International Hall Elmdon side/Spiral Stairs near the old terminal entrance/Visitor Center New Terminal side, all gone never to be replaced, and as Mr Kehoe says - You have your bus shelter think your self lucky we gave you that.....
The idea is Keep them away from the airport only want people paying money and flying in my airport - very poor attitude

E.

I don't know if that's what they mean but I think they just feel that they don't need a facility like at Manchester because we've already got two. Plus Paul says the Aviation Experience wasn't that popular in actual fact. Although it'd be interesting to see some customer figures from the Aviation Experience.

Paul did say we can happily approach him if we've got a money-spinning idea, so maybe that's something to work on? As he hasn't ruled it out. He's just not clear on where the revenue would come from. Maybe that's something you could look on, Elmdon80slad, in terms of where the revenue could come from (as estimated figures)? Maybe we'd need Manchester's to compare/get an idea.

We know the Sheldon Country Park attracts a couple hundred on weekends (maybe even 200-300 in the 12pm hour for obvious reasons!), and the Long Stay has a lot of photographers by the fence, so there's some figures to start with.

Apparently the old stock of the Aviation Experience is still in a cupboard somewhere in the airport, it'd be a shame seeing it go to waste. I only visited it a few times, those being December 2003, December 2005, June 2006 and June 2007. From what I remember I loved the place - particularly the views (although back then the International Pier wasn't obscuring anything).

 

[Hassaan]

Does anyone have any ideas? Perhaps this is something we could work on together, with people assigned different roles etc.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Does anyone have any ideas?

Come up with an idea how you are going to make money from this and put it to Mr Kehoe, he's already said that he will listen

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I am sure that there are people out there with money who would like to get behind a viewing/visitor buiding, there are many such people on Twitter, the problem isnt - if they are interested or not, Its getting to speak to them as for as long as i have been trying they are just not seeing my tweets and i can not get them to chat with me.

E.

 

[Hassaan]

Come up with an idea how you are going to make money from this and put it to Mr Kehoe, he's already said that he will listen

Yes, I'm just wondering where the starting point is and how we go about it initially. I could create mock-up designs/drawings if that's a good starting point.

I am sure that there are people out there with money who would like to get behind a viewing/visitor buiding, there are many such people on Twitter, the problem isnt - if they are interested or not, Its getting to speak to them as for as long as i have been trying they are just not seeing my tweets and i can not get them to chat with me.

E.

Which users are these? I could try getting in touch with them.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'd start with numbers first rather than designs.

I can't speak for Mr Kehoe but if it was me I would want to see a detailed breakdown of the initial set up costs. Acquiring the land, designing the facility, planning permission, construction of the road system, implementation of the car park and barriers, connection to the utilities, construction of the visitor centre/restaurant, fit out of the visitor centre/restaurant and costs for the outdoor area (fencing, signage, benches, tables, play area, viewing platforms etc.). I would also want to see a breakdown of ongoing costs such as health and safety and hygiene certification, staff recruitment and training costs, staff wages, regular maintenance costs, catering suppliers (unless that is to be a separate company running the restaurant), utility bills, insurance etc. Would the money just be given or would it be in the form of a loan? If it's a loan then repayments and interest have to be factored in. Any exhibits or displays would have their own costs.

Once that is done I would want to see realistic projections of yearly visitor numbers, bearing in mind that you'd have no problem filling it on a summers afternoon but how many people will be there during a rainy Tuesday in Feb? The other thing to consider is a family planning an afternoon picnic also have the option of Sheldon Country Park, which is free.

Once you have a realistic number the key is then how much to charge people. Charge too much and people won't visit, don't charge enough and you won't make any money. Some market research comes in handy here.

When that is done, assuming that the numbers add up and there is a good income, send the details to Mr Kehoe

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Yes, I'm just wondering where the starting point is and how we go about it initially. I could create mock-up designs/drawings if that's a good starting point.



Which users are these? I could try getting in touch with them.

I have tried to reach on twitter - Richard Branson, All the Dragons from dragons Den, Gary Numan, Jim Carrey, Richard Hammond but none of them have followed me or even replied to me even once.

E.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I'd start with numbers first rather than designs.

I can't speak for Mr Kehoe but if it was me I would want to see a detailed breakdown of the initial set up costs. Acquiring the land, designing the facility, planning permission, construction of the road system, implementation of the car park and barriers, connection to the utilities, construction of the visitor centre/restaurant, fit out of the visitor centre/restaurant and costs for the outdoor area (fencing, signage, benches, tables, play area, viewing platforms etc.). I would also want to see a breakdown of ongoing costs such as health and safety and hygiene certification, staff recruitment and training costs, staff wages, regular maintenance costs, catering suppliers (unless that is to be a separate company running the restaurant), utility bills, insurance etc. Would the money just be given or would it be in the form of a loan? If it's a loan then repayments and interest have to be factored in. Any exhibits or displays would have their own costs.

Once that is done I would want to see realistic projections of yearly visitor numbers, bearing in mind that you'd have no problem filling it on a summers afternoon but how many people will be there during a rainy Tuesday in Feb? The other thing to consider is a family planning an afternoon picnic also have the option of Sheldon Country Park, which is free.

Once you have a realistic number the key is then how much to charge people. Charge too much and people won't visit, don't charge enough and you won't make any money. Some market research comes in handy here.

When that is done, assuming that the numbers add up and there is a good income, send the details to Mr Kehoe

I think the best people who would know all those figures would be the operators of the old Vistor Center at the airport, possibly Mr Myatt who ran the shop in the center, or even manchester airports facility, it needs someone who has been through something like this to give an indication of the figure work, the rest of us it would only be pure guessing.

E.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I think that Ray has summarised the situation excellently.

Anyone considering investing, will be looking at the situation totally from a business perspective. Namely, 'if I invest ''X'' amount, when will I get my money back and when can I achieve a profit'. Also, 'are there other ventures for which the same investment will deliver better returns'.
What Ray has listed would run into the tens, or more likely hundreds of thousands of pounds.
I know that many here have worked very hard to see a new viewing facility and have the greatest respect for their efforts. Unfortunately, without support from BHX, it is unlikely to bring investment from third parties.
Sorry, to sound so negative about the situation, but I think that's the reality.

Regards

Kevin

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I think that Ray has summarised the situation excellently.

Anyone considering investing, will be looking at the situation totally from a business perspective. Namely, 'if I invest ''X'' amount, when will I get my money back and when can I achieve a profit'. Also, 'are there other ventures for which the same investment will deliver better returns'.
What Ray has listed would run into the tens, or more likely hundreds of thousands of pounds.
I know that many here have worked very hard to see a new viewing facility and have the greatest respect for their efforts. Unfortunately, without support from BHX, it is unlikely to bring investment from third parties.
Sorry, to sound so negative about the situation, but I think that's the reality.

Regards

Kevin

My inicial proposal included a purpose made sports stand - If it had been built on the Rugby training ground near the dog kennels on Cov Rd, this could have sattisfied many different tasts and drawn in much needed investment, if it had been large enough AKA the Hall Green GRA Stadium it could then have been Perfect for the job.

E.

 

[Hassaan]

I wish I wasn't so out of my depth as far as numbers are concerned. Is there anyone who knows someone specifically who'd be clued up on the numbers side? I've tried contacting the Manchester park with no luck.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Folks - I am still digging away at this and am trying as hard as my old bones will let me, to try to get the right person with money to listening, I have been bash Twitter as hard as I can to try to get the likes of Richard Branson or Virgin to follow me so I can discuss this with them, so far no good but I am trying relentlessly and wont give up.

E.

 

[Brum X]

Folks - I am still digging away at this and am trying as hard as my old bones will let me, to try to get the right person with money to listening, I have been bash Twitter as hard as I can to try to get the likes of Richard Branson or Virgin to follow me so I can discuss this with them, so far no good but I am trying relentlessly and wont give up.

E.

Thanks mate for all your efforts on this.

 

[Hassaan]

Folks - I am still digging away at this and am trying as hard as my old bones will let me, to try to get the right person with money to listening, I have been bash Twitter as hard as I can to try to get the likes of Richard Branson or Virgin to follow me so I can discuss this with them, so far no good but I am trying relentlessly and wont give up.

E.

Have you tried contacting Virgin via their website? Try this: https://www.virgin.com/contact-us

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Have you tried contacting Virgin via their website? Try this: https://www.virgin.com/contact-us

Yep tried that route firstly over two years ago, but they did not seem interested seemed more bothered about thier rail ops.

E.

 

[BHXsupporter]

'they did not seem interested seemed more bothered about their rail ops.'

Oh that's faintly encouraging because the Virgin rail service is b****y awful, ending southbound (and prob. northbound) far too early in the evening. I feel only faintly encouraged though since it's like trying to move the proverbial supertanker. Forget (Virgin) customer satisfaction and convenience and helping longer-term plans for airport growth - it may not make a profit but well that's the difference between the US view and the EU view of sustainable businesses (Mr Ashley falls in the former category).

 

[JENNYJET]

Who owns the Sheldon parkland at R15 end?

Can that not be developed in a kind environmental way to allow a safe and comfortable facility with a sponsor covering costs and gaining publicity?

A small wooden shelter could be incorporated to blend into surrounding areas offering a food facility with toilets etc.,..picnic tables and bench seating...

I am sure other sites outwith the boundary fences can be adopted for similar spotting sites under safe and secure monitoring by the relevant agencies, those with enough height not to obstruct viewing and photography.

It should not the Airport itself a penny but with sponsors the shareholders may gain new customers in the future as spotters become passengers!!

 

[Hassaan]

It's a shame nothing has come of it because I can see there being more demand as these new route announcements come in.

 

[Hassaan]

I decided to create another petition. Hopefully this one gains a bit of traction.

https://www.change.org/p/solihull-m...craft-viewing-facility-for-birmingham-airport