hi Joan
¹I know of 2 cracking venues, but i'm affraid it's all down to costings on smaller events for the full weekend. most rare soul devotees don't blink at £1,000 for a record they want -- and obviously more £££s as well. But £100-£150 for a weekender ticket with decent accommodation brings tears to the eyes !
¹The first Scottish Soul Weekender had the "dream team" line up-I estimated I heard £3,000,000 worth of records on the Friday night alone ! superb line up organised by Dave Thorley , trouble was no punters in the room as the Northern side thought the entry fee was too much !
I think everyone needs decent rooms, there's a few shocks coming to people at the "New" Prestatyn , it's not changed one bit..i was there in May and one of the reasons I didn't take it on.
Hotel based events with two / three decent sized function rooms are what's needed for a 500 crowd , however you need to Book or reserve the whole hotel, I think Lifeline had problems at the Old Bell due to "Normal" people complaining during the wee small hours about loud music, why did the hotel take these bookings ?
Chalky or Andy D will confirm these problems, nobody wants to or can afford to lose money on these ventures, least of all the venue owners who seem happy to keep a venue empty than take a risk on something new.
¹I think there is a demand on the lines of The Stafford re-union in 2010- dare I say rare oldies ? main room, plus satellite rooms playing current biggies and new discoveries all OVO of course.
good luck to all
Rob