Pls help regd Spain embassy Manchester !!

Hi someone pls help me with my query,myself & my husband are planning to go to Barcelona on Friday, 31st october for a week's trip.

We have managed to book an apptmt with the Spanish embassy in Manchester on Thursday, 23rd October 2008.

I do know that they do not issue visas the same day.The apptmt letter states that visas for all the nationals,(besides the exceptions) will take minimum 1 - 2 weeks.Considering what they have stated,I realise our appmt date is too close to our travel date.

After emailing the embassy directly,they have said that probably we MIGHT get the passports back by 30th october if we collect it personally & to let the visa officer know abt it when submitting.But is it a chance worth taking?

We have made an appmt with French embassy,but it's too much travel & money for us to go to London & then spend another couple of unnecessary pounds to go to France after getting visa from them,just to make sure we do enter French territory before we enter Spain ,to be on the safer side.

Has anyone applied at the Spanish embassy in manchester personally?is this a peak time for visa processing?How long does it take to get the passport back?Pls help...............


Or does anyone know any agencies which help people living in the north of England regarding Spanish visas?

BTW,we are both Indian nationals currently on Tier 1 visa.We have had Schengen visas issued in the past by france & Greece.

Someone pls advise,which is better go for Spain or France?