A MARQUEE in a pub car park and an empty space in the theatre are just some of the more unusual polling stations in and around Worcester.

Best of all, you might be paying a visit to one of them if you are taking part in the local elections this Thursday (6 May).

Here’s everything you need to know about the May 6 elections- including a run down of the quirkiest polling stations in and around Worcester:

When are polling stations open until and where is my local station?

On May 6, polling stations open 7am and close at 10pm.

Any voters who are in the polling station, or in a queue outside it, by 10pm will be able to apply for a ballot paper.

Voters who have not returned their postal vote before this day can take it to a Worcester polling station or to the Guildhall before 10pm.

Your polling station will be shown on your poll card and a full list is also found over on the Worcester.gov.uk website.

If you have lost your poll card and do not know which polling station you should attend, please email electoralservices@worcester.gov.uk to ask and include your name and address.

The Covid regulations in place at polling stations

On May 6, voters will be asked to

  • Wear a face covering
  • Use the hand sanitiser provided
  • Follow a one-way system if one is in place
  • Bring their own pen or pencil
  • Follow social distancing guidelines – stay two metres away.

Shane Flynn, Returning Officer for Worcester, said"We are doing everything we can to ensure that the 67 polling stations across the city are as safe and welcoming as they can be, so voters have no reason not to have a say on who their next councillor and Police & Crime Commissioner is.

"It will be compulsory to wear a face covering in all polling stations, unless you are exempt, so I would like to remind everyone to bring one along on 6 May, as well as their own pencil or pen if they can.

"We will have one-way systems in place for most polling stations, but some do not have a separate exit, so we will simply have a one-in, one-out system in place at those locations. That might mean people need to wait longer than usual to vote, so we hope voters will be patient on the day.

"The staff at all our polling stations have been trained to help voters socially distance and to ensure they sanitise their hands, to make sure there is the minimum likelihood of any Covid transmission."

The weird and wonderful polling stations in and around Worcester

While the majority of us might be used to voting in our local community centre, Worcester council makes use of any free space available- even if it is a little less conventional.

Here are 10 of the more unique polling stations in our city:

1. The Virgin Tavern, Tolladine Road

(Facebook/@Thevirgintavern2015)

If you live near The Virgin Tavern, you might be paying a visit on voting day as a portakabin is being set up in the car park.

The pub is currently open for customers to visit and they have an outdoor marquee to protect punters from the elements.

2. Worcester Lawn Tennis club house, Northwick Close

(Facebook/ @WorcesterLTC  )

Fancy a spot of golf after you have cast your vote?

This friendly tennis club boasts three flood-lit artificial clay courts, four flood-lit hard courts, three grass courts and a fully equipped clubhouse; it’s in this club house where you will find the temporary polling station.

3. The Goodrest Tavern’s skittle alley, Barker Street

(Facebook/thegoodrest)

This family-friendly pub has a rich history and is well-loved by locals in the community.

The pub was fully refurbished in 2019 and now features a outdoor heated seating area as well as a children’s outdoor play area and a a family games room and facilities to support skittles, pool and darts teams.

The polling station will be set up in the pub’s skittle alley and function room.

4. Gheluvelt Park’s Sons of Rest Building, Waterworks Road

Worcester News: WNJAPavillion..Opening of new Pavillion in Gheluvelt Park on Thursday by Worcester Mayor Jabba Riaz. Mayor, Jabba Riaz with Roisin Hanks from the Duckworth Trust serve the first ice creams from the Pavillion to Nigel Fish and Maurice SmithWNJAPavillion..Opening of new Pavillion in Gheluvelt Park on Thursday by Worcester Mayor Jabba Riaz. Mayor, Jabba Riaz with Roisin Hanks from the Duckworth Trust serve the first ice creams from the Pavillion to Nigel Fish and Maurice Smith

You might have visted the Sons of Rest pavilion for an ice-cream or a snack in the past.

However, on Thursday it is has a much more political agenda.

The £325,000 pavilion opened its doors to the public back in 2018.

5. Lakeside Café, Ambleside Drive

(Facebook/The-Lakeside-Café)

You might have visited the Lakeside Café for a full English breakfast or a quick snack; they also offer buffets for parties and corporate events.

They have an outdoor seating area for guests but also offer takeaway and delivery services.

The building really is multi-faceted as there will be a polling station on site here come Thursday.

6. Alma Tavern, Droitwich Road

Worcester News: (Photo: Google Maps)(Photo: Google Maps)

The team at the Alma Tavern welcomed customers back on April 12.

It is believed to have been built in the mid-19th Century, the oldest parts of the building being the current restaurant area.

The pub itself and the adjacent Alma Street were named to celebrate the Battle of Alma in 1854.

Will you be visiting to vote on Thursday?

7. The Swan Theatre, The Moors

Worcester News: (Photo: Google Maps)(Photo: Google Maps)

Theatres have been closed for months and many of us are eager to get back to one and fully immerse ourselves in a show.

For now, we will have to appreciate the beauty of the theatre from a voting booth.

Voting will be taking place in the Sama Room.

8. Portobello Public House, Bransford Road

Worcester News: (Photo: Google Maps)(Photo: Google Maps)

There is a marquee for voters on the car park of this public house.

They are also currently open for the public- why not pop in for a pint after you have voted?

9. Nunnery Wood Sports Complex, Spetchley Road

Nunnery Wood Sports Complex offers a wide range of sport and leisure facilities- and their squash is court is temporarily being used as a polling station.

Both squash courts were refurbished last March.

10. St George’s C of E Primary School, St George’s Lane North

Worcester News: (Photo: Google Maps)(Photo: Google Maps)

It’s time to go back to school- and vote for your local MP.

The year four classroom of St George’s C of E primary is being used as a temporary polling station.

According to the school’s website, it is multicultural, friendly and welcoming school, which has served the local community for over 180 years.