Visitor A-Z - The NEC, Birmingham

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W

Accommodation

Whether you are looking for a Birmingham hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast or a self catering apartment, The NEC Group Birmingham Hotels and Accommodation Directory will help you to find the place to best suit your needs.

Airport / Air Rail Link

Birmingham International Airport is literally minutes away from The NEC. You can contact them on 08707 335511 or by visiting www.bhx.co.uk

The Air Rail Link runs throughout the day between the Airport and Birmingham International Train Station, which is joined to the NEC. It is free to board and takes around 90 seconds to complete the journey.

For more information, click here

Baby Facilities

Piazza (Halls 1-5):
Adjacent to Hall 1 entrance – baby changing room comprising of 2 toilets, baby changing area, bottle warming machine and screened off breast feeding area

Adjacent to Hall 2 entrance - pull down changing unit, chair and sink

Adjacent to Hall 4 entrance (within the disabled toilet) - pull down changing unit

Atrium (Halls 6-20):
Adjacent to Hall 8 entrance (within the disabled toilet) - pull down changing unit

Adjacent to Hall 9 entrance (within the ladies toilets) - nappy machine, baby changing area, pull down changing unit, 1 baby seat, 1 bottle warming machine and 1 chair and (within the mens toilets) - pull down changing unit

Adjacent to Hall 12 entrance (within the ladies toilets) - nappy machine, baby changing area, pull down changing unit, 1 baby seat, 1 bottle warming machine and 1 chair and (within the mens toilets) - pull down changing unit

Adjacent to Hall 18 entrance by kiosks (within the ladies toilets) - nappy machine, baby changing area, pull down changing unit, 1 baby seat, 1 bottle warming machine and 1 chair and within each of the 2 disabled toilets in the same area – pull down changing units

Adjacent to Hall 20 entrance (within the ladies toilets) - nappy machine, baby changing area, pull down changing unit, 1 baby seat, 1 bottle warming machine and 1 chair and within each of the 2 disabled toilets in the same area – pull down changing units

Bank

There is a NatWest Bank situated by Hall 4 in the Piazza.
This is open Monday to Friday 09:00-16:30 (except Wednesday 09:30-16:30)
Telephone number 0845 302 0754.

Box Office

The Ticket Factory sells tickets for The NEC, The NEC Arena, The NIA and other selected events and venues across the UK, please call 0871 945 6000 or click here for further information.

Tickets can be purchased in person from The NEC Arena Box Office on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 - 5pm and at variable times on event days, concert evenings and major releases. Tickets are also available from the Visitor & Business Centre at either the Piazza or the Atrium. Please call 0121 767 3697 to confirm exact opening hours / locations.

Bridgelink

The ‘bridgelink’ is a covered walkway which connects Birmingham International Train Station to The NEC.

Buses

For information about bus services, visit:

www.networkwestmidlands.co.uk

Alternatively, call Centro on 0121 200 2787 or the Traveline on 0871 200 2233

The Visitor and Business Centres on site at The NEC store timetables for the 900, 966 and 38 buses. Routes as follows:-
900 – Coventry to Birmingham via A45
966 – Solihull to Erdington via Airport
38 – Birmingham to Birmingham International Airport via Acock’s Green
All buses depart from the bus stops at Birmingham International train station.

There are also Centro Map and Guide leaflets in the Visitor and Business Centres for Birmingham, Birmingham City Centre, Solihull and Coventry that include service details.

Business Card Machines

There are two business card machines in the Atrium (Halls 6-20).
- adjacent to "food to you" by Hall 6
also, at Atrium Entrance 1 opposite the International Trade Promotion Centre

Business Centre

Please look under "Visitor and Business Centre"

Car Parking

The NEC has over 22000 car park spaces. Car park charges may apply. Click here and enter details of the show you are attending. You will find car parking fees for that show underneath the organisers contact details.

If car parking charges apply and you are purchasing your show tickets through The Ticket Factory, you may have the option of pre-purchasing your car parking ticket in advance at a slightly reduced fee. This is only available on certain shows and at the same time as purchasing your show ticket through The Ticket Factory. (Also see “Shuttle Service” for further information)

Car Hire

Cars can be booked by using the contact numbers below, subject to availability.
A rental service is provided 24 hours a day by at least one of the partner companies.
The car hire desks are located at Birmingham International Airport in the link between Terminals 1 and 2.

Avis: 0870 608 6310
open 24 hours
Budget: 0800 181 181
open 0630 - 2230
Enterprise: 0121 782 9030
open 0600 - 2300
Europcar: 0121 782 6507
open 24 hours
Hertz: 0870 846 0008
open 0630 - 2300 (Sat/Sun 0700 - 2200)
National: 0121 782 5481
open 0630 to 2300

Cash Points

On the Piazza (Halls 1-5):
Cash points inside and outside the Natwest Bank by Hall 4.
On the Atrium (Halls 6-20):
Natwest cash point opposite Hall 8 by Atrium 2 entrance.
Nationwide cash point by Hall 20.
There are also four other portable cash machines in the Atrium, there is a charge for using these machines. They are located adjacent to Hall 6 entrance and opposite “food to you”which is located near to Hall 6 entrance, by Concourse Suites 1 & 2 and opposite Hall 18.
Nearby at the Train Station:
HSBC cash point

Chaplaincy

The NEC Chaplaincy is available for consultation and support
on 07790 499384 or e-mail stephen.willey@necgroup.co.uk
Also, see “Prayer Room”for further information

Childrens Identification Wristbands

Childrens Identification Wristbands are available from our Visitor and Business Centres and the Security office next to Hall 1 in the Piazza as a complimentary service.

The Wristbands clearly say on the outside “If I’m lost look inside!”and assist our staff in reuniting lost children with their carers.

Cloakrooms

There are manned cloakrooms adjacent to halls when shows are on. Visitors can store bags, coats and luggage for £1 per item per day. Overnight storage is not possible at the NEC.

Coaches

For National Express ticket bookings and information, call 08705 808080 or visit their website.

Passengers are advised to book in advance, however where seats are available tickets can be purchased from the driver.

Digbeth coach station in Birmingham City Centre is about 20 minutes away from Birmingham International Airport and is the hub of the National Express network. National Express run services between these locations as does the 900 bus service.

Coaches stop at Birmingham International Airport at the back of the Novotel, near the Multi-Storey 3 car park. Log on to www.bhx.co.uk/Transportation/236.pdf for a clear map of the site.

Digital Photo Printing Machine

There is a digital camera printing machine at Atrium Entrance 1 opposite the International Trade Promotion Centre in the Atrium (Halls 6-20).

Disabled Facilities

Please Click here for further information

Feedback

We are constantly looking for ways to ensure that your experience at our venues is the best that it can be and we appreciate any feedback you can give us on your visit.
Email: feedback@necgroup.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 121 780 4141
Please click here to view our NEC visitor feedback handling policy

First Aid

Please look under “Medical”

International Trade Promotion Centre

The ITPC offers a wide range of services tailored to meet client's specific objectives. Whether you are from a UK company looking to develop your international trading opportunities, or an international organisation interested in increasing business in the UK, the Centre's team will be able to help maximise opportunities.

Based by Hall 10 in the Atrium, contact 0121 767 3247 (fax: 0121 767 3511)
Email: victoria.stubbs@necgroup.co.uk
Website: www.itpc-nec.com

Lost Property

The main area is located in the Security office on the Piazza between Subway and Hall 1. There is also a smaller security office in the Atrium near Hall 20.
For property lost on the same day during an exhibition, visitors can go in person to the nearest Security office.

Once the show is over, all lost property is moved to the Piazza office.
You can call 0121 767 3883 for lost property queries.

Maps

These maps can be printed off in advance of your visit to help you find your way around.
- To print off an internal layout of the public circulation areas within The NEC (called the Piazza for Halls 1-5 and the Atrium for Halls 6-20), click here.
- To print off an NEC site plan showing the halls, car parks, hotels, Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham International Station and the nearby road network, click here.
Alternatively these can be found at the Visitor and Business Centres on site.

Medical

The Medical Centres onsite are the first place to visit for any accidents.
The Piazza medical centre is situated by Hall 5, next to the Visitor & Business Centre.
The Atrium medical centre is situated by Atrium Entrance 2, opposite Hall 8.
You can contact them on:
0121 767 2494 or 0121 767 3707 or ask a member of staff whilst on site.

Meeting Points

There is a meeting point in the Piazza (Halls 1-5) opposite Subway (located between halls 1 and 2) and in the Atrium (Halls 6-20) at Atrium 2 main entrance opposite hall 8.

Newsagents

Martin’s Newsagents are located between Halls 4 and 5 in the Piazza. There are also outlets in the Atrium, by Halls 6 and 10. Opening hours vary depending on show activity in each area.

Pay phones

There are pay phones situated in the Atrium (Halls 6-20), near to all three main entrances. Two pay phones are situated on the central pillar by Wetherspoons in the Piazza (Halls 1-5). These phones can be used for overseas calls.

There are also pay phones at Birmingham International train station that accept Euros .

Photo booths

These are located in the Piazza (Halls 1-5) by "Food to You" (adjacent to Hall 3a) and in the Atrium (Halls 6-20) by "Food to You" (adjacent to Hall 6) and at Atrium Entrance 2 by the Medical Centre.

Please note these can be in high demand for certain shows when photographic ID is required. Photos cost £4, the machines accept coins only and do not give change.

Post boxes / offices

There is a post box in the Piazza (Halls 1-5) opposite the NW Bank and in the Atrium (Halls 6-20) adjacent to Entrance 2, where collections are made daily.

There is no Post Office on site, however stamps can be purchased from the Visitor & Business Centres. They can also weigh small packages here.

Visit www.postoffice.co.uk for details of local post offices.

Prayer Room

The NEC has a Multi-Faith Prayer Room available for prayer, reflection or meditation.

It is situated on the Piazza (Halls 1-5) next to the chapaincy office (by Subway) and has a washing facility for those who require it.

The room has prayer mats, holy books and other resources for prayer which have been donated by representatives of local faiths.

For more information regarding the Multi-Faith Prayer Room, or for details of local places of worship/faith leaders, please contact NEC Group Chaplain stephen.willey@necgroup.co.uk

Railway Station

Birmingham International Station connects directly to The NEC by a covered walkway called the Bridgelink.

For further information please contact National Rail enquiries on
+44 (0) 8457 48 49 50
Alternatively click on one of these links
www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

Road

Birmingham is at the hub of the UK motorway network, enabling visitors to travel directly from the M6, M1, M40 and M42.

For further information click here

Shuttle service

Shuttle buses run continuously for free around site between the car parks and the halls during exhibitions, normally one hour before and after the exhibition.

Operating times are shown at the bus stops. Our aim is for you to wait no longer than 15 minutes on the days the bus service is operating. We apologise in advance for any delay, this may be caused by volume of traffic around the venue during peak times.
Should you rather take a pedestrian route, these are also shown at the bus stops with an estimated time scale.

Skywalk

The ‘skywalk’ connects the Piazza (Halls 1-5) with the Atrium (Halls 6-20). This is the most direct way of getting across site. Travelators are normally running when exhibitions and events are taking place.

Taxis

These are usually available outside the Piazza main entrance and Atrium 1 entrance when shows are taking place at The NEC.

Otherwise contact:-
TOA 0121 427 8888

Ticket Factory

The Ticket Factory sells tickets for The NEC, The NEC Arena, The NIA and other selected events and venues across the UK, please call
0871 945 6000 or click here for further information

Toilets

There are many toilet facilities throughout the NEC complex.

For locations please go to “Maps” and view / print off the internal layout showing the public circulation areas of the Piazza (Halls 1-5) and the Atrium (Halls 6-20).

There are additional toilets within the halls.

Visitor and Business Centre

There are two NEC Visitor & Business Centres which are located in the Piazza by Hall 5, next to Martin’s Newsagents and in the Atrium, by Hall 9, opposite Concourse Suites 1 and 2.

They offer a wide range of services including:

Information on events, the site & local area, regional attractions and public transport. Photocopying & Printing from CD or memory stick - black & white or colour up to A3 size

Faxing - incoming or outgoing.

Internet Access - £1 per 10 minutes or £1 for 20 minutes on own laptop.

WiFi Scratchcards - £5 for 1 hours access.

Laminating - up to A3 size.

Mobile/Cell Phone Services - sim cards, chargers, e top-up & hire of mobile phones.

Stationery - limited range on sale.

Stamps & Postcards.

To view the full price list click here.

Ticket Factory tickets are also on sale (Please note that on concert and event release days, tickets will only be available from the Arena Box Office).

NEC Mobility - The Visitor & Business Centres are a point of contact for this service and visitors are welcome to call in for assistance.

Our standard opening hours are 0900-1700 hrs Monday to Friday. However, these are extended to include weekends and longer opening hours are based on show activity.

You can contact us at info@necgroup.co.uk or by calling 0121 780 4141.

Wifi Zones

There are 3 zones within the NEC where you can access our wireless internet (WiFi) network using a laptop computer. They are in the Atrium (by Halls 12 & 20) and the Piazza (Halls 1-5) by Wetherspoons. The zones are identified by orange 'WiFi zone' signs.

To use the network you will need to purchase a voucher from one of the NEC Visitor & Business Centres (by Hall 5 or Hall 9) or the Atrium Information Point (by Hall 19). The vouchers cost £5 and give 1 hours total access. You do not have to use the whole hour at one time - you can log in and out as many times as you like.
If you would like to see more detailed instructions on how to use the network then please click here.

If you are unsure about how to connect or experience any difficulties whilst using this service then ask the team at the Visitor and Business Centres who will be pleased to help. Please note that the wireless network is not secure and we do not provide any virus scanning or firewall facilities.