Having benefited from this forum over the last 5 years, I felt compelled to share my experience for ILR here so others can benefit specially those with families and young children
I live in Hertfordshire and booked an appointment for my ILR in PEO (Solihull) although Croydon was only 40 miles from my place but I do not regret this at all as I have a 2 month old daughter and did not want to be changing 3 different sets of trains and tubes or drive into Croydon in the morning rush hour
I booked my appointment for 10:00 am for my ILR and for my wife's FLR(M) at 2 pm on a Monday at PEO Solihull. We went to Birmingham on Sunday and stayed at local Travelodge which was only 10 minutes drive (and paid just £19 as I booked it well in advance Sunday night booking are cheap there)
I arrived at the PEO Solihull alone at 9:30 and was greeted by a smiling Security guard something which you dont see in Croydon. They then gave me a ticket number and I was called after 20 minutes where a very friendly lady asked for the follwoing documents
- SET(O) Form
Pay Slips
Bank Statements
Life in UK test
Passport
I was then told that everything is fine and was asked to deposit the fee just few windows ahead in the same room. After fee submission I went back and waited for around 15 minutes to be lead into for biometrics by yet another smiling member of staff. Biometrics were done in 5 minutes and I was asked to come back after an hour and collect my paperwork. The time now was around 10:50 so I was out of the place in around an hour which is really impressive
I then went back to the hotel and we checked out and came back this time for my wife's appointment around 1:20 pm. Again the usual checks and then I was given my documents confirming my ILR and then we went on to get the wife's FLR(M) the same day as well and we left the PEO around 3 pm
2 days later the BRP arrived for both of us in the post
All in all a wonderful experience; so would recommend everyone (who can) to go to Solihull and not to Croydon
Advantages
Very very helpful staff
A small office where everything is on one floor so you don't have to run around like headless chicken
Application is checked first before fee payment is made
A nice high street to tour whilst you are waiting for you application to be processed
Affordable parking next to PEO at John Lewis (I think i paid in total £7 for using it twice)
Disadvantages
The PEO can be a bit tricky to find so would suggest that you look at street view first to give you an idea of surrounding
Hope it helps and feel free to ask any questions ..