Don't be fooled by the new name - the NEC Arena has not yet been renovated, it is still the same grey, decrepid aircraft-hangar Brummies have grown to hate. This venue is really starting to show it's age now. I have been attending concerts here for more than 25 years and it's hardly changed in all that time.

Because of it's open-plan layout, the place really lacks atmosphere. The catering is laughable - both expensive and inadequate. While attending a Simple Minds concert last week, the already-limited choice was further reduced because, by 8pm, the burger bars had run out of burgers! The car parking is extortionate (£7 for advanced bookings or £8 on the night) and they always use the car parks furthest from the Arena (allow yourself another 15 minutes to be transported by shuttle bus). Most midlanders don't even have the option of using public transport as the majority of services finish before midnight.

I hope that the new LG Arena is all-enclosed with some terraced seating on the floor to improve sightlines. I look forward to seeing a variety of food outlets similar to those we now see at most festivals. I also suggest that they re-organise the car parking so that you can actually walk to the Arena, or better still, that they hold discussions with local transport companies about the possibility of providing extra services after events.