In a few months time my, sorry, our new album 'Sniff the Mitten' will be released and we will be launching our long awaited comeback tour. As the most experienced member of the band, media celebrity and heaviest Rocker in our midst, I have taken the responsibility of choosing the venues on to my own broad shoulders.

The first thing any Rock legend with an ounce of business sense should do, (that's 28.35 grams of business sense for our European fans) is to list a set of requirements for the gig. Here is a copy of my original 'wish-list':

• Rocking loud P.A. system! (With skull motifs if possible)
• Ready supply of casual labour to exploit, I mean hire as "roadies" for loading and setting up equipment and stuff.
• Hotel with late licence and mini-bar in my room. (Possibly with a Jacuzzi?)
• Close to population centres so that all my fans won't have to travel too far.
• Stage lights that can focus on to the lead singer no matter where I stand on stage.
• Excellent road and rail links, on a bus route etc so that the punters arrive easily and refreshed ready for a rock sensation!
• Curry house and kebab shop within staggering distance of the nearest pub.
• Preferably a venue with some Rock history behind it (Wembley stadium or the NEC in an ideal world)
• Rent on the venue must be affordable, below £400 per night for us. {Note to self - Wembley Stadium probably out of price range at £50,000 per night. Wembley Working Men's Club possible compromise? Could still give us the history and tradition for only £70
• Hospital within walking distance an advantage.
• Venue must be able to handle all the booking arrangements by telephone. I gotta save my voice for the gig!

After literally minutes of research I finally came up with the ideal compromise between my 'wish-list' and the cost of booking. It was well easy for a man of my talents!

As usual, Rocky has managed to cover some genuine business theory. Here is a list of all of the location factors mentioned in the specification, some of which Rocky has mentioned and some of which are not relevant to an ageing rock band looking for a venue.

These factors are:

1. The number of skilled people available in the area.
2. The cost of labour.
3. The cost of premises.
4. Any local government charges or taxes.
5. Any funding available such as local/national/European grants or tax breaks.
6. Good transportation links for ease of supply and distribution.
7. The need to be where customers are.
8. The history and tradition of the location.
9. Available sales techniques such as telephone, broadband Internet and mail order.

Task One
Examine Rocky's "wish list" again. Pick out the factors from the above specification list which you think that Rocky has addressed.

For example:
Rocky does not want their fans to have to travel too far. This would relate to point number seven in the specification list, "the need to be where customers are". Now see how many other genuine business requirements Rocky has considered in his "wish list".

Hint: Rocky mentions at least six.

Task Two
Now you know all about the factors that Rocky considered when selecting a venue for The Pencils, use your knowledge to work out which of the 12 venues listed below he thought was the most appropriate.