I mentioned on the Summer of Sonic Facebook page that we would have something to announce this weekend (if you haven’t, join our Facebook group already!). Today, we can reveal our intended venue for this year’s convention – The Pavilion in Shepherd’s Bush.
Located in a wonderful spot, right at the top of Shepherd’s Bush Common, The Pavilion is a huge space that is broken down into three levels. As you walk in from the entrance hallway, you’ll be facing a 1000-people strong space with steps leading down to each level ahead of you. There’s more than enough room for a stage at the bottom floor, with a backdrop that hangs from an even bigger balcony area!
EDIT: I should quickly add that there is access for wheelchairs on either side of the venue space as well, so don’t worry about disabled access. However, to answer a question that was recently asked in our comments section, there’s no Induction Loop installed I’m afraid as it is a recently refurbished venue. We apologise if this will make it difficult to enjoy the convention – nevertheless, the team is focused on trying to accommodate for the hearing impared, hopefully we will have some news on this soon.
We’re really excited about this venue, and we hope to share a video and various photos detailing the location in more detail very soon. For the time being, click here for a Google Maps page on the venue’s specific location – it’s just around the corner from Tube Stations: Shepherd’s Bush, Shepherd’s Bush Market and Goldhawk Road. A more detailed description on getting to the venue will be available shortly.
(NB: Ignore the random furniture and gubbins; it’ll look a lot more Soniccy when you arrive!)
You might be wondering why it has taken us a long time to get this location announced. Various factors come into play when it comes to hiring a professional venue for an event – there’s signing of contracts, adding of accounts, and various clauses that need to be discussed at length before a deal between parties can be made final.
In 2008, we did not really have this issue, because a community hall of about 200-people strong was hired for the day, and there wasn’t any red tape to speak of. Last year, as the needs and demands of the Summer of Sonic convention grew, the team knew that we couldn’t get away with doing the same, so we went through a similar process as we have this year to lock down the Truman Brewery. The fact that we have changed venue for 2010 means all of that background work had to be done again.
However, whereas we picked the Truman Brewery as an excellent location for the 2009 event specifically, when it came to finding a venue for 2010 the team decided to look for a place that we could use in the future. The core team recently had a tour of The Pavilion, and we’re certain that – if all goes well – we can use this location for future Summer of Sonic events. And, it saves us going through a similarly long and arduous contracts process next time around.
So here’s to our intended venue for the Summer of Sonic 2010 – The Pavilion! We’ll hopefully see you here on the 7th August!
[...] just revealed on the SOS website, the intended venue for the event has been revealed: The Pavilion in Shepherd’s Bush. Its a [...]
Is that a Reggae Reggae Bar next door! Ho! HO!
Well, I know exactly what I’ll be doing on the 7th of August. To the city of London I go!
Sweet venue still wish it was closer to home though (Manchester) but still I hope I can make it SOS10 at The Pavilion =D
@Casanova: The bar to the left of the Pavilion (looking at the entrance)? It’s an Australian-themed sports bar… a loud one, TVs showing cricket/rugby/AR everywhere, a projector doing the same in the back… >_>
@Crash: Think of those of us that are coming in from even further afield. >_> One or two of the staff are up in Scotland and will have a wonderful time getting in early to do setup. Personally, I’ll be coming in on Friday from near Newcastle, and staying in a hotel.
Good-natured griping aside, get here if you can, it’ll be a great day out, and the more the merrier… as long as we don’t go over capacity x_x. Train tickets on the East Coast Main Line are still pretty cheap (starting at £11 each way) from Manchester, or about half that on coach, then it’s £3.80 tops with an Oyster card (which costs another £3 but would pay for itself immediately) to get there and back on the Tube.
The only thing to say is that if you do decide to go by train (which is by far the most comfortable travel option), order your tickets as soon as possible, because the cheap ones disappear surprisingly quickly. I must admit I got caught out by that last year when I procrastinated redeeming some vouchers and ended up paying more anyway.
I should probably have left all that to the inevitable travel guide that will appear shortly, but whatever…
As for the Pavilion itself… those two pictures don’t even come close to doing it justice. When we got in to have a look around, it surprised a lot of us just how big the place is. On our end, this place solves a lot of the problems we had with the Truman Brewery – for example, it was a big place and the courtyard was excellent, but would it kill them to provide an Internet connection? >_>
Is there food available and most important will there be a bar
A bar, not at the venue itself. However, Shepherds Bush is chock full of them, so there’s nothing stopping you going out for a bit during the day. There’s also the traditional after-party which has almost become an event of its own.
Hi Ian. I’ve got Brittle Bones, If I break anymore bones like I have today. I won’t be going out of the venue, but I’m sure one of the staff might find the time to get something for me.
Ahh! Fantastic! Now I just gotta sort out my taveling and sleeping arrangments. Awesome!
Right then. Time to alert Lexxy.
This does look like a great location, whilst there’s only one or two pictures of the location, three levels excites me
Completely different from last year and plenty
of facilities in the nearby area which will be really useful!
Looking forward to helping people get there between now and the
event itself and helping you all out on the day – hopefully
we’ll see the return of the text request feature! See you all
very soon!
wow the pavillion how exciting i hope that this will a really good one i’m coming to it with my dad and grandma another round of sonic related fun!
woo
Looks good! And you say a “1000-people strong space” that has to be one big place for the convention, man i really hope il get to go this year alright.
Yay! It’s in a place that I ACTUALLY know since my school is around the area!
i’m totaly comming to this years sos
Sounds good, I’ll do my best to get over in August if I can.
Even harder for me to get too, count me out this time sonic fans! But good luck for everyone turning up.
yeeey XD i’m glad it not so so far but 2 question is there car park? and at what time?
please, i really need to know, thank you kindly
i’ll be sure bring my folders there! >3
Will this cater for our younger Sonic fans too? I am coming with my little boy (we are BOTH huge Sonic fans…)
Hi Terry,
The Summer of Sonic is a family event, so please feel free to enjoy the day with your son. Good to see a dad Sonic fan!
cant wait for this event, maybe booking the next day off work is a good idea ;3
with so many bars and soo many fans it could be a long one.. LOVE IT!!
@Terry and Svend:
Especially good considering that little girl from last year who showed up in a Sonic costume… ‘Cause the parents didn’t look like they were enjoying themselves too much.
how do we get tickets
Have times for when the event begins/end been arranged yet?