PaulTalbot wrote:<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<but the strongest British in recent times was Sheffield so it proves that if you have a good funding for the top players it drives entries and location isn't a much of a factor>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My lads play in the tournament and me and their mum use the time as a holiday, generally spending time visiting coffee shops, having cream teas, walking along the sea front and watching a little bit of the chess. That's why Torquay and Bournemouth are great. 'Up north' generally doesn't have the same weather and certainly doesn't have the same appeal.
We had a few days in Warwick, that's all (because we know it is a nice uni). I (on my own) attended Sheffield for a weekend. When you say it was a strong tourney I take it that you are referring to the number of top grandmasters who were paid to play there and not a large number of entries.
The ECF should recognise that it has some responsibilities to the families of contestants who wish to support their family members whilst at the same time enjoying a nice holiday, or else they risk losing these people to tournaments abroad as someone kindly suggested. The tournament is 2 weeks long. To the contestants the actual playing hall is important because that is where they spend their 2 weeks, but a supporting family member wouldn't spend 2 weeks holiday in a city centre.
We want south coast, sea front, sunshine, coffee shops and little country villages and country walks, NOT the north, wind, rain, city centre's and car fumes. Even the Yorkshire moors is generally cold wet and windy, beautiful but not a place to visit twice. So if it does go to Hull, I think I'll encourage the lads to look at some tourneys abroad.
So by the sound of it you have very specific ideas on where the British should be held, always down South and never up-North, very inclusive.
I agree city centres aren't ideal but sometimes it is all the ECF can get with their budget constraints, but I think any seaside resort in the country is adequate, British summer weather isn't exact reliable wherever you go in the country.
If you want guaranteed good weather then abroad is your better alternative, though this isn't always the case