The Albany Theatre, Albany Road, Coventry CV5 6JQ | The entrance to the Theatre is on Albany Road.
By Bus
There is a bus stop directly outside the Theatre on Butts Road (Butts Radial Link Technical College) which serves services: 6, 6A, 10, 18, 19 and 47. For bus enquiries please visit Network West Midlands or call the travel line on 0871 200 22 33.
By Train
The Albany Theatre is less than ten minutes walk from Coventry’s railway station.
By Car
SATNAV: CV5 6JQ: Head towards Coventry City Centre and onto Coventry Ring Road, exit the ring road at Junction 7. Exit the roundabout onto Butts Road (B4101) signposted Earlsdon.
The Albany Theatre entrance is located on Albany Road (which is the left hand turn at the first traffic lights.)
Parking Problems
We currently recommend that you use the Coventry Rugby Club car park – but please see the new note in bold below.
From the City Centre, take Exit 7 on the ring road heading out of town on Butts Road, go through two sets of traffic lights and the car park is on the left on open ground. IT IS PAY AND DISPLAY – by cash, card or using the Pay4Stay app.
If you do choose to use the EARLSDON PARK ON-SITE PARKING – multi-storey or ground – please note BOTH ARE PAY ON ENTRY WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF PASSING THE ENTRANCE CAMERA. Pay by card or using the Connect Cashless Parking app – but see below. There is a 2m height restriction on the multi-storey car park. Please note: there is no barrier – an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in place.
There have been continuous problems since the Earlsdon Park system changed to pay-on-entry in April 24. Many patrons claim that the parking rules are “designed to catch you out”, and allege they have been “scammed”, so PLEASE BEWARE. See below for more information.
Wherever you park, please ensure that you pay for a generous amount of time as all car parks use ANPR (number plate recognition). Anyone who overstays their time will be fined (PCN).
If you park at the front outside a marked bay or do not pay you will receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN – £100).
Blue Badge Holders – you must pay for parking either at the front of the building or in the multi-storey. There are 3 paying spaces for Blue Badge holders at the front of the building and further paying spaces for blue badge use in the multi-storey on the Ground Floor (2 spaces), Level 2 (10 spaces) and (Level 3 – 8 spaces).
There is a ramp for access to the Theatre.
CAR PARK PROBLEMS
The on-site multi-storey car park is operated by Excel Parking on behalf of the Landlord. The Albany Theatre does not control the car park in any way – but as a tenant we do have some influence when things go wrong, and we are aware that some patrons have been having problems. If you are or have been affected by this, please let us know and we will resolve the matter through the landlord: info@albanytheatre.co.uk.
We apologise for the inconvenience and stress that is being caused by Excel Parking.
Further information:
The Albany Theatre Trust has gathered clear evidence that:
- the payment machines do not always work
- they do not always accept a full VRN (registration number)
- they do not always accept any VRN
- they sometimes generate random letters in a VRN
- they do not always accept card payments
- the app does not always work (Connect Cashless Parking)
- it often does not connect
- there is a “helpline” phone number that does not always connect
- problems with the machines and the app often mean it takes drivers more than the permitted ten minutes to pay for their parking, so even if they pay in full (and often for more hours than they need) they still get a fine for breaking the “ten minute rule”
Drivers who use the car park operated by Excel Parking and have received a PCN (Parking Charge Notice):
- report aggressive tactics and threats of bailiffs (who have no powers without a court order) and of court proceedings
- are told by Excel Parking, if they have a problem with the payment app, “We note your comments concerning the use of Connect, however we must clarify that Connect is third-party software for which we are not responsible.”
Since the Albany Theatre Trust is aware of these problems, we believe we have a duty of care to our patrons to warn them. If you have any issues, as long as you pay for your parking, or attempt to, let us know: info@albanytheatre.co.uk. We will do what we can to support you, right into the courtroom if it ever comes to that. We advise you to TAKE PHOTOS/VIDEOS when you encounter problems and, if you can, ask others to witness what is happening.
The Earlsdon Park on-site multi-storey and ground level car parks are managed by the landlord XLB Property. We have raised these issues with them continuously and trust they will take action to improve the situation.
WE ARE VERY PLEASED to announce that the site owners have intervened and THERE IS NOW AN EVENING TARIFF – £2.50 EVERY DAY FOR PARKING BETWEEN 1800 Hrs AND 0000 Hrs. This applies both for the Earlsdon Park on-site multi-storey and ground level car parks.
We are in continuous dialogue over the other issues identified above, but acknowledge that this is an important step forward for patrons.
Drop Off Points
For guests and visitors, there is limited space to drop off outside the front of the Theatre BUT you only have ten minutes to do so or you will receive a fine (PCN).
For visiting companies and contractors, our Stage Door is located off Albany Road towards the rear of the building. The stage door is clearly signed. Everyone entering the theatre via the Stage Door must sign in.
Please note: there is no right of access or parking at any time at the rear of the theatre: you will get a Parking Charge Notice (£100).
By Coach
Coaches can drop passengers off at the bus stop outside the theatre (see above). There is no facility for coach parking on site but Coventry Rugby Club is close by (Butts Park Arena) and you may be able to make direct arrangements with them to use their car park – call 02476 231 001.
