Utilita Arena Birmingham - Access and Car Parks

Ianbenny

Ianbenny

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Booked up to see Jeff Lynne and ELO on Sunday night last October.)

In my ignorance and hurry to book I thought it was at the NEC but its at the Utilitia Arena. ( I thought they had renamed the NEC venue :rolleyes: ) Just found out yesterday:(

Is it easy to access as I am staying in Litchfield and is there plenty of parking. Looking at the website it says there a 3 car parks but not sure if these fill up quickly. Is there other alternatives nearby just in case?

Will be getting there about 5pm.

Thanks Ian
 
Ianbenny said:
Booked up to see Jeff Lynne and ELO on Sunday night last October.)

In my ignorance and hurry to book I thought it was at the NEC but its at the Utilitia Arena. ( I thought they had renamed the NEC venue :rolleyes: ) Just found out yesterday:(

Is it easy to access as I am staying in Litchfield and is there plenty of parking. Looking at the website it says there a 3 car parks but not sure if these fill up quickly. Is there other alternatives nearby just in case?

Will be getting there about 5pm.

Thanks Ian
Click to expand...
Do you have a car?

Driving is easy, just make sure your car is LEZ compliant.

The car parks can fill up, there are loads of other options though within easy walking distance.

Brindleyplace is a safe and well lit car park that is just across the canal. It’s pricey but close. Check your route as there are bus lanes everywhere, satnav such as Waze works to get you round them.


Just Park is another option, used it loads and very good.

JustPark

Find parking, wherever and whenever you need it, online or via the JustPark app. Reserve a space at over 45,000 locations. Trusted by 10 million drivers.
www.justpark.com
 
Last edited:
Ianbenny said:
Booked up to see Jeff Lynne and ELO on Sunday night last October.)

In my ignorance and hurry to book I thought it was at the NEC but its at the Utilitia Arena. ( I thought they had renamed the NEC venue :rolleyes: ) Just found out yesterday:(

Is it easy to access as I am staying in Litchfield and is there plenty of parking. Looking at the website it says there a 3 car parks but not sure if these fill up quickly. Is there other alternatives nearby just in case?

Will be getting there about 5pm.

Thanks Ian
Click to expand...
The car parks are generally ok for capacity. The issue is sometimes getting out. Particularly the one at Brindley Place. You pay, then return to the car, and slowly edge towards the exit. But by the time you get to the barrier, the 15 minutes to exit has expired and it refuses to let you out. Which then delays everyone behind, so the next car also gets stuck. And it's unstaffed.
 
Guigsy said:
The car parks are generally ok for capacity. The issue is sometimes getting out. Particularly the one at Brindley Place. You pay, then return to the car, and slowly edge towards the exit. But by the time you get to the barrier, the 15 minutes to exit has expired and it refuses to let you out. Which then delays everyone behind, so the next car also gets stuck. And it's unstaffed.
Click to expand...
You can pay at the barrier if it’s busy.
 
We park at Broadway Plaza and walk down Broad Street to the Utilitia. You'll get back to your car and on your way quicker than parking right by the venue.

Screenshot_20250704_200227_Maps.webp
 
My experience was that some of the car parks are pre pay only for (some) events at the Utilita so the barrier is open when you leave .
 
chippie said:
Why not use the cross city train line from lichfield and leave vehicle behind?
Click to expand...
That’s what I would do, just check when the last train is. It’s about 15 minutes walk to New Street from the Utilita.

Train journey is about 45 mins from Lichfield Trent Valley.
 
Googlebot said:
Do you have a car?

Driving is easy, just make sure your car is LEZ compliant.

The car parks can fill up, there are loads of other options though within easy walking distance.

Brindleyplace is a safe and well lit car park that is just across the canal. It’s pricey but close. Check your route as there are bus lanes everywhere, satnav such as Waze works to get you round them.


Just Park is another option, used it loads and very good.

JustPark

Find parking, wherever and whenever you need it, online or via the JustPark app. Reserve a space at over 45,000 locations. Trusted by 10 million drivers.
www.justpark.com
Click to expand...
Yes I am going by car and its petrol so ULEZ ok.

On the venue web site the parking charge is £15,

The last time I went to Birmingham was 1994, again to see ELO part 2 as Bev Bevan was touring then. It was at the Symphony Hall and a charity event, but I cant remember much about parking.

I do remember Jasper Carrot being on and making a poor joke which went down like a lead balloon. I think there was a tragedy with some school children and his joke was in bad taste.
 
Inspired choice for selecting Sunday. Just driven from the city centre and the congestion warnings are already up. Cricket at Edgbaston, ELO in the centre tonight and at Villa Park, the heavy metal event with Black Sabbath tonight. Leaving the centre and using the expressway tonight will be rather busy. (Utilita and villa park are about 3 miles apart).
 
Jenben said:
My experience was that some of the car parks are pre pay only for (some) events at the Utilita so the barrier is open when you leave .
Click to expand...
You can prepay on the website but it says space is not guaranteed

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Detnor said:
Inspired choice for selecting Sunday. Just driven from the city centre and the congestion warnings are already up. Cricket at Edgbaston, ELO in the centre tonight and at Villa Park, the heavy metal event with Black Sabbath tonight. Leaving the centre and using the expressway tonight will be rather busy. (Utilita and villa park are about 3 miles apart).
Click to expand...
I was going to go on the Saturday and stay 2 nights but the premier inn was bit pricey, so opted for Sunday.

Didn't realise Ozzy was on at the same time - booked last Oct.

I am out of practice going to cities, its 30 years since I was in London, and that was with work. The road congestion and crowds put me off now I am getting older.
 
As said there is a multi storey within spitting distance of the arena.

If not emission compliant pre pay that.

Also pre pay the car park.
It’s by a big round a bout.

Go early, and after a five minute slow walk you can have a very nice Italian meal at Picolinos, highly recommend.

Getting out is a proper pain so leave early or later after a little snifter in a local pub.

You won’t be disappointed with ELO.

Enjoy 👍
 
Birmingham council event curfew is 11pm unless special arrangements are in place. Last local trains out of New Street on a Sunday are just after 11pm. If you are looking at trains watch the timings. (Mis spent school nights running from Newcastle city hall to the station to get home).
 
Detnor said:
Birmingham council event curfew is 11pm unless special arrangements are in place. Last local trains out of New Street on a Sunday are just after 11pm. If you are looking at trains watch the timings. (Mis spent school nights running from Newcastle city hall to the station to get home).
Click to expand...
Saw ELO part 2 at Newcastle City Hall - cant remember what year, but was right at the front of the balcony - Kelly Groucut was excellent. Also saw Level 42 when I was a student at the poly next door. They played for 2 and a half hours non stop - fantastic all for £11:giggle:
 
Silver-Fox said:
As said there is a multi storey within spitting distance of the arena.

If not emission compliant pre pay that.

Also pre pay the car park.
It’s by a big round a bout.

Go early, and after a five minute slow walk you can have a very nice Italian meal at Picolinos, highly recommend.

Getting out is a proper pain so leave early or later after a little snifter in a local pub.

You won’t be disappointed with ELO.

Enjoy 👍
Click to expand...

Thanks is that the Broadway Plaza one?

Never been disappointed with ELO since I made the cardboard cut out star ship that came with Out of the Blue. :giggle:

I had a ticket to see them in 1986 for Birmingham Heartbeat Charity gig but was in hospital - thought that would be my last chance at the time

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Ianbenny said:
Thanks is that the Broadway Plaza one?

Never been disappointed with ELO since I made the cardboard cut out star ship that came with Out of the Blue. :giggle:

I had a ticket to see them in 1986 for Birmingham Heartbeat Charity gig but was in hospital - thought that would be my last chance at the time
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Yes pretty sure Broadway plaza.

ELO are on the BBC now for anyone interested, it’s a night of.

We saw them when they played Hyde Park in 2014 for the Radio 2 party in the park.

Then again in Brum.

Absolutely brilliant and you could hear every instrument and singer.
Jeff Lyne is a perfectionist 👍
 
14 minute walk from Broadway Plaza to the Utilita. Easy and flat walk.
Screenshot_20250706_152219_Maps.webp
 
Jo-jo said:
14 minute walk from Broadway Plaza to the Utilita. Easy and flat walk.
View attachment 1082022
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Unfortunately, I got lost so it took 30 mins to find the arena. :giggle:

But on the way back it took a bit longer as it was very busy. I still got lost !!! It all looked different in the dark .

Then the sat nav decided to take me back to Lichfield by all the back roads:rolleyes::rolleyes::cry: . I have seen parts of Birmingham I never thought I would. I have decided to get a new road atlas.

Got back at 12.30am

Thanks for all your help and replies.

I dont think I will be going again though.:cool:
 
Turned out Jeff had broke his fingers in a taxi that had to emergency stop, so no guitar playing.

He looked quite frail and had to be helped across the stage so not sure what's wrong.

Dhani Harrison was the support act and personally thought he was not the right fit for the concert. So did my neighbours.

I think the Hyde Park show will be good as the laser show couldnt be seen the the arena and there are a few more support acts such as Steve Winwood.
 
Have to agree that Dhani Harrisons band were too guitar heavy and not a good fit for the ELO audience. Many headed for the bar, one couple told us they sounded just as bad in the Bar. :ROFLMAO:
However when Dhani joined Jeff for a few Travelling Willburys numbers taking his dads parts, he sung extremely well. As did the backing singer who stood in for Roy.

The gig itself was amazing, thanks Jeff, 77 and looking a little frail but he soldiered on and gave many of his trademark thumbs up, backed up by some superb musicians. Lighting and video screens also excellent.
A good night in Brum.

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Looks like we were lucky as last nights concert in Manchester was cancelled with very little notice after Jeff was ill.
My friend and his wife were there and were gutted after travelling from Durham.
Get well soon Jeff

stevewagner​

I hope he is OK for Saturday (y) for you

​

​

 
Felt sorry for all people who made the waisted journey to the gig, we were lucky at Brum,

Get well soon Jeff.
Hope they can re schedule the Manchester slot.
 
ELO have now cancelled the Hyde Park gig as Jeff recovers from systemic infection.
It was the farewell gig, now unlikely to be re-scheduled.
 
We were very lucky to see him Wednesday Manchester.
Wishing him a speedy recovery 🙏

Cheers🍻
 

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