A GREAT VENUE – AND PRICES FROZEN AT 2012 LEVELS!

The Classic Jazz Party takes place at the four-star Village Hotel & Leisure Centre, Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside NE27 0BY. This is about four miles from the coast, just off the A191 and accessed from the A19 or the A1058 Coast Road. The Village has been home to the Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival/Classic Jazz Party for the past five years, and was rated “Excellent/Very Good” by 96% of festival-goers in our 2012 annual survey.

Opened in 2002, the Village has 157 very comfortable bedrooms, three bars, two restaurants, a Starbucks coffee shop, a Health & Fitness centre and a 25-meter swimming pool with jacuzzi available to all guests staying in the hotel. There is ample free parking. Public spaces are excellent, the staff are extra-friendly and food and drink are reasonably priced (20% discount on all beers, copious supplies of real ale and good house wines at just £11 a bottle). Public transport service is good between the hotel and the coast area, and East Coast Taxis are very reasonable. More information is available at www.village-hotels.co.uk/newcastle.

Staying at the Village is highly recommended, but of course not obligatory: we have been informed that their Bed & Breakfast tariff for the Classic Jazz Party weekend (available for one, two or three nights) is being held at the 2012 level of £120 per room per night (double or twin), £115 single occupancy. Thursday can be added as a fourth night for just £55 per room (double, twin or single).

To book rooms at the Village Hotel, telephone 0191 270 1414, quoting Promotion Code JZB. At the moment, online bookings are not possible, but the hotel is working hard to fix this. In case of any difficulty, call Irene Hollas, Meeting & Events Sales Manager, on 0191 270 6491 Monday- Friday weekdays only during business hours; she is very helpful! If, however, you should wish to stay elsewhere, details of other accommodation in the area are available from the friendly folks at Whitley Bay Tourist Information Centre (phone 0191 200 5895 or e-mail ticns@northtyneside.gov.uk), who will be more than happy to assist you.

OTHER THINGS TO SEE & DO (why not stay an extra day or two?)

Nearby tourist attractions include Durham Cathedral and Castle, Hadrian’s Wall and its attendant forts, Alnwick Castle & Gardens, the giant MetroCentre shopping mall and Newcastle/Gateshead’s vibrant Riverside scene. Further afield, the countryside between Tyneside and the Scottish Borders offers wonderful vistas, quaint villages and many a mediaeval castle. Nearer at hand, you can stroll along the beautiful sands of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth beaches, or visit the romantic ruins of Tynemouth Castle and Priory (not to forget amazing fish & chips on North Shields Fish Quay!). East Coast Taxis (0191 253 3770) offer reasonably-priced tours of local attractions.