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RailUK First Class Lounge Guide
- Thread starter Ascot
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RailUK Forums
ScotTrains
Member
It's a shame to see first class lounges closing.
In 2014 Virgin opened a new first class lounge in Glasgow. Since then it has already been enlarged due to high demand. At the time Gary Iddon, Virgin Trains’ General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services, said that first class lounges are "now a basic customer requirement for the First Class market." Sadly, it now seems Virgin are doing a U-turn.
I still wish Virgin (or the next franchise holder) would open new lounges at major interchange stations eg Carlisle and Preston.
In 2014 Virgin opened a new first class lounge in Glasgow. Since then it has already been enlarged due to high demand. At the time Gary Iddon, Virgin Trains’ General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services, said that first class lounges are "now a basic customer requirement for the First Class market." Sadly, it now seems Virgin are doing a U-turn.
I still wish Virgin (or the next franchise holder) would open new lounges at major interchange stations eg Carlisle and Preston.
Blinkbonny
Member
- Joined
- 16 Mar 2018
- Messages
- 349
Yes, Coventry seems a strange closure - given the existence of First Class Lounges at all.
Large city. Three-way rail junction. High Commuter turn-over... Yet Birmingham International remains!
There is in fact a member of staff there who I have heard complaining about the Lounge's use by people on tickets just as far as the Airport, (i.e. obeying the rules and conditions set out by Virgin themselves!). But surely his opinions aren't likely to hold that much weight.
Large city. Three-way rail junction. High Commuter turn-over... Yet Birmingham International remains!
There is in fact a member of staff there who I have heard complaining about the Lounge's use by people on tickets just as far as the Airport, (i.e. obeying the rules and conditions set out by Virgin themselves!). But surely his opinions aren't likely to hold that much weight.
I visited the Leeds lounge recently. They've refurbished it when I wasn't looking (my wife says it had been done last time we were there but I didn't notice).
It's another bizarre colour scheme but seats are comfy, the dodgy wireless chargers are gone and the power sockets now have USB ports.
The fridge has gained Yorkshire yoghurt and Coke/Diet Coke.
It's another bizarre colour scheme but seats are comfy, the dodgy wireless chargers are gone and the power sockets now have USB ports.
The fridge has gained Yorkshire yoghurt and Coke/Diet Coke.
It's not the distance travelled but the amount of swag they load their bag up with every day that the staff are moaning about. I've seen it every time I use the lounge due to a delay. Crisps, chocolates and three cans of pop each time.
VT 390
Established Member
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 1,366
Does anyone know if the Virgin Trains first class lounges have the normal opening times on bank holidays (Mondays)? I have looked on their website and it does not say any different but it also does not say it is the same.
Butts
Veteran Member
Pleased to see LNER make lounges available to customers prior to and after journeys.
Having had to book tickets via their 30% off e-mail promotion from Edinburgh rather than Falkirk due to the lack of decent value 1st Class tickets from the latter, I will be able to use the Edinburgh Lounge on my return whilst awaiting a Scotrail Service back to Falkirk.
It will be interesting to see if it is better or worse than under Virgin/ East Coast stewardship. Same with Newcasle as well - mind you that was never up to much under either of the others!!!
Having had to book tickets via their 30% off e-mail promotion from Edinburgh rather than Falkirk due to the lack of decent value 1st Class tickets from the latter, I will be able to use the Edinburgh Lounge on my return whilst awaiting a Scotrail Service back to Falkirk.
It will be interesting to see if it is better or worse than under Virgin/ East Coast stewardship. Same with Newcasle as well - mind you that was never up to much under either of the others!!!
Do any companies not allow this?
Butts
Veteran Member
Lounge Reports....
Edinburgh 1st thing this morning there at opening (6.30am)
Great Hot beverage machine delivered a couple of quality cappo's - get one on the trains to replace the normal dishwater dispensed offering onboard.
Orange Juice, Bottles Water, Fruit, Biscuits, Crisps, Cake and Muffins.
Only change noticed from Virgin Days - Cans of pop absent in the fridges.
Newcastle This Afternoon
Same Coffee machine as Edinburgh
Bottles of Water, Crisps and Biscuits - that's your lot !!
Edinburgh 1st thing this morning there at opening (6.30am)
Great Hot beverage machine delivered a couple of quality cappo's - get one on the trains to replace the normal dishwater dispensed offering onboard.
Orange Juice, Bottles Water, Fruit, Biscuits, Crisps, Cake and Muffins.
Only change noticed from Virgin Days - Cans of pop absent in the fridges.
Newcastle This Afternoon
Same Coffee machine as Edinburgh
Bottles of Water, Crisps and Biscuits - that's your lot !!
Remember using the Virgin one in Euston after coming down from Glasgow .
Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
It's not permanently staffed, but staff pop in and out to tidy up. It's been a long time since I had my ticket checked there.
I was impressed with the Edinburgh Waverley lounge, but it was sunny and I got a window seat which always helps.
Butts
Veteran Member
Not worth manning, normally a "Tea and Biscuits" venue - with the latter being if you are lucky.
Butts
Veteran Member
I dropped a real clanger today on my trip from Sandwell & Dudley to Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street on my Anytime 1st Class Single at £8. My intention was to "double up" visiting both Lounges prior to my Flight up to Edinburgh.
No problem at New Street which I accessed via a London and North Western service from SAD. Had a cappo and a few biccies including a bakewell mini cake.
Not wanting to wait 10 mins for a Virgin Service to BHI I caught another LNW service. On arrival at BHI I attempted to gain access to the Lounge where you just press the buzzer show your ticket to the camera and they normally remotely open the door. However on this occasion a voice enquired as to which service I had arrived on and I was rumbled. Really annoying as they still have takeaway cups for the hot drinks in there.
I could have attempted to blag it, but i put it down to experience
No problem at New Street which I accessed via a London and North Western service from SAD. Had a cappo and a few biccies including a bakewell mini cake.
Not wanting to wait 10 mins for a Virgin Service to BHI I caught another LNW service. On arrival at BHI I attempted to gain access to the Lounge where you just press the buzzer show your ticket to the camera and they normally remotely open the door. However on this occasion a voice enquired as to which service I had arrived on and I was rumbled. Really annoying as they still have takeaway cups for the hot drinks in there.
I could have attempted to blag it, but i put it down to experience
I used the Virgin First Class Lounge last week (18th October) at Liverpool Lime St and found it both very odd and very good !
The odd part was having to press a buzzer to show my ticket to gain entry, but when I buzzed I got a voice telling me the number I was calling was wrong
- however someone in the lounge (not Virgin staff) saw me and let me in.
There was hot and cold soft drinks available (Tea/Coffeee/Pepsi Max) available as well as crisps,pretzels and fruit and free copies of the Times and a lovely clean toilet !.
The lounge is disabled friendly as there is a lift to take you to the 1st floor and the Lounge was clean & tidy and a Virgin member of staff came in to top the drinks & snacks.
If you want to charge your phone etc there are loads of USB ports/plug sockets and aircharging points.
The odd part was having to press a buzzer to show my ticket to gain entry, but when I buzzed I got a voice telling me the number I was calling was wrong
- however someone in the lounge (not Virgin staff) saw me and let me in.There was hot and cold soft drinks available (Tea/Coffeee/Pepsi Max) available as well as crisps,pretzels and fruit and free copies of the Times and a lovely clean toilet !.
The lounge is disabled friendly as there is a lift to take you to the 1st floor and the Lounge was clean & tidy and a Virgin member of staff came in to top the drinks & snacks.
If you want to charge your phone etc there are loads of USB ports/plug sockets and aircharging points.
Butts
Veteran Member
Visited Birmingham International twice today and yesterday - more biscuits and uglies available today. Plus fresh fruit both days !! - no crisps..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Pop and Hot Drinks Machine both days. Great thing about BHI is the takeaway cups, which I utilised to take a free cappo to the Airport.
Birmingham New Street today as above with a wider selection of snacks - crisps and mini cheddars !!
Have First/TrenItalia given any indication of the future and fayre to expect when they take over from Virgin ?
Birmingham New Street today as above with a wider selection of snacks - crisps and mini cheddars !!
Have First/TrenItalia given any indication of the future and fayre to expect when they take over from Virgin ?
British brands was one of the things that I recall.
Sam
Butts
Veteran Member
I take it you are referring to onboard rather than in the Lounge ?
All the pop and biscuits and crisps are British at the moment !!
I believe that is certainly the idea.
Sam
Butts
Veteran Member
On the Avanti West Coast Website there is no mention about being able to use Lounges after a journey like there was with VWC.
Anyone aware whether this is an oversight or a change of policy ?
Anyone aware whether this is an oversight or a change of policy ?
Oversight, there's no change in the rule.
Sam
Butts
Veteran Member
Cheers for that.
Butts
Veteran Member
In Avanti Lounge at Birmingham New Street this Morning for opening at 0615 - on my way to Airport.
No changes from Virgin Stewardship still got cans of pop , hot drinks machine and snacks in the form of uglies and packs normal biscuits.
A little less fayre ie crisps and cake missing but could be because it is still holiday time.
No changes from Virgin Stewardship still got cans of pop , hot drinks machine and snacks in the form of uglies and packs normal biscuits.
A little less fayre ie crisps and cake missing but could be because it is still holiday time.
Merle Haggard
Established Member
There was one change, as a result of refurbishment a few weeks ago. The hinged, slightly stiff, entrance door with sundry A4 instruction sheets ('please be sure to close the door behind you' was lone) has been replaced by a pair of automatic sliding doors with un-obscured glass.
The mugs were replaced by John Lewis' finest in Virgin days, and these remain with Avanti.
Recently, I sadly witnessed a small group of travellers who filled their bags with canned drinks and food as they left. Could explain temporary shortages. It was a Saturday though, not noticed it happening during the working week.
Merle Haggard
Established Member
Sheffield lounge has recently received a minor (EMR??) makeover, with re-upholstered seats.
Merle Haggard
Established Member
Manchester Piccadilly was refurbished in the summer. The theme seems to be geometric shapes (esp. hexagons) was this Virgin, or did Avanti have a say, I wonder.
Marton
Member
- Joined
- 9 Nov 2008
- Messages
- 664
Bees are a symbol of industry used by Victorians often in the form of a skep
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Harold Hill
On Moderation
Wandered into the First Class lounge at New St. Asked to show the attendant my ticket, he said it was for XC and that it wasn't valid in there. The Avanti logo over the door is not clearly visible as the chap maintained and I hadn't noticed it. Fortunately, I still had my ticket TO New St from Euston in my pocket and was ok. I'm sure he's a nice guy but brush-up the customer service, please