Blackpool North platform staff

[sansyy]

Hello, after quite a few journeys to Blackpool north recently ive been wondering what’s with the platform staff. They’re all extremely grumpy and have this uptight attitude that you’re here to commit a crime or defraud the railway and it’s rather frustrating when dealing with them. I held an advanced ticket for a train that was cancelled due to staff shortages and they looked at me like I was supposed to buy another ticket or drive the train myself and it was rather a difficult challenge to get past them. Not to mention the ticket barriers never work either so having to always deal with them is an unfortunate fate. Does anyone else have these issues?

 

[DM352]

Last time there was 25 years ago and had same experience with the gatekeeper staff. It resembled being treated like a group of kids on a school field trip until dismissed to the platform.

Unrelated, I do not like the bland excursion station compared with pictures of the main BN station they demolished.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Does anyone else have these issues?

You're certainly not the first forum member to adversely comment about Blackpool North. See also the below...

Passengers denied boarding at Blackpool North?

https://twitter.com/TorstenB74/status/1446946882106925059 Previous MIA bound train at 3 minutes to 9. Waiting at BPN platform 5 entrance from 21.10 with 50 people already in the queue. Not 1 person stepped onto platform until 21.26 left platform on time, seemingly without any passengers...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Vespa]

I've not been to Blackpool North for years, I've studiously avoid the place and drive instead.

If it closes down I wouldn't miss it, it would be better unstaffed for all the good the staff are doing.

You must have a sense of sado masochism if you really must visit the station.

 

[Magdalia]

Blackpool North was a popular feature on this forum in the past see this discussion:

Blackpool North: The most unfriendly station in the country?

I had the misfortune to visit Blackpool North yesterday and was struck by the unfriendly atmosphere and the lack of "customer service and customer experience" i received. I don't want to say to much as i am going to write to Northern but: 1) Accused by staff of dawdling on the station platform...

www.railforums.co.uk

There is lots to read if you have the time!

 

[Turtle]

Hello, after quite a few journeys to Blackpool north recently ive been wondering what’s with the platform staff. They’re all extremely grumpy and have this uptight attitude that you’re here to commit a crime or defraud the railway and it’s rather frustrating when dealing with them. I held an advanced ticket for a train that was cancelled due to staff shortages and they looked at me like I was supposed to buy another ticket or drive the train myself and it was rather a difficult challenge to get past them. Not to mention the ticket barriers never work either so having to always deal with them is an unfortunate fate. Does anyone else have these issues?

Just enter Blackpool North on a search engine!
This station seems to have a long tradition of antagonising passengers and, judging by the multitude of past comments, nobody in senior management is able to get a grip on the situation.
Unrelated, but boarding at Euston appears to be a similar ongoing problem.

 

[WestCoast]

I used the station regularly for over 15 years and they have always run the place like that.

I was a regular commuter for a while and they were always pretty friendly and relaxed to the regulars (including having all the doors open in the morning if I recall correctly) but if you’re a visitor at peak weekend then you’ll get the school trip experience

 

[dk1]

I always have to ask the staff to let me through the ticket gates as BR boxes don't operate them and I find them courteous and helpful.

I've not been to Blackpool North for years, I've studiously avoid the place and drive instead.

If it closes down I wouldn't miss it, it would be better unstaffed for all the good the staff are doing.

You must have a sense of sado masochism if you really must visit the station.

Would you honestly drive just because staff aren't friendly at a station?

 

[Vespa]

Would you honestly drive just because staff aren't friendly at a station?

Yes, I have done so many times, I didn't agree with the policy of keeping you in the concourse until 3 minites before the train departs, there were reports which can also be found on this forum of passengers missing their train because the staff have not opened the door.

 

[dk1]

Yes, I have done so many times, I didn't agree with the policy of keeping you in the concourse until 3 minites before the train departs, there were reports which can also be found on this forum of passengers missing their train because the staff have not opened the door.

I don’t think I could ever take it that personally. Some staff in my nearest Sainsbury’s aren’t very friendly but I wouldn’t put myself out to go anywhere else. Although I regularly join the queue at Blackpool North I’ve never had to rush to the train. It’s just one of those things that happen at that station. I’m actually looking at booking another trip soon to tick the new Holiday Inn & the tram extension.

 

[yorkie]

Hello, after quite a few journeys to Blackpool north recently ive been wondering what’s with the platform staff. They’re all extremely grumpy and have this uptight attitude that you’re here to commit a crime or defraud the railway and it’s rather frustrating when dealing with them. I held an advanced ticket for a train that was cancelled due to staff shortages and they looked at me like I was supposed to buy another ticket or drive the train myself and it was rather a difficult challenge to get past them. Not to mention the ticket barriers never work either so having to always deal with them is an unfortunate fate. Does anyone else have these issues?

Yes I have experienced this; see previous threads on the subject.

It's a cultural problem that Northern rail are either unwilling or unable to address.

I don’t think I could ever take it that personally.

No but it's still unacceptable behaviour in customer facing roles.

Some staff in my nearest Sainsbury’s aren’t very friendly but I wouldn’t put myself out to go anywhere else.

I've never experienced any supermarket staff to behave in a manner comparable to how staff at BPN have been known to behave. I would be shocked if I did and I would expect the matter to be dealt with (I have no such expectations of Northern as i know what Northern are like as a company)

Although I regularly join the queue at Blackpool North I’ve never had to rush to the train. It’s just one of those things that happen at that station. I’m actually looking at booking another trip soon to tick the new Holiday Inn & the tram extension.

It's not just about 'rushing'; indeed I was once rushed to make a decision regarding which train I was going to take (my ticket was valid on any).

Some of the staff at BPN are not suitable for public facing roles; the training is inadequate and insufficient safeguards are on place by Northern to detect and deal with inappropriate behaviour by staff

It will never change , at least not in the current climate and with current management.

I always have to ask the staff to let me through the ticket gates as BR boxes don't operate them and I find them courteous and helpful.


Would you honestly drive just because staff aren't friendly at a station?

Good for people who make a stand; mistreating customers does have the potential consequence of some people making alternative choices.

 

[dk1]

Yes I have experienced this; see previous threads on the subject.

It's a cultural problem that Northern rail are either unwilling or unable to address.


No but it's still unacceptable behaviour in customer facing roles.

I've never experienced any supermarket staff to behave in a manner comparable to how staff at BPN have been known to behave. I would be shocked if I did and I would expect the matter to be dealt with (I have no such expectations of Northern as i know what Northwrn are like as a company)

It's not just 'rushing' indeed I was once rushed to make a decision regarding which train I was going to take (my ticket was valid on any).

If we go back to BR days it was the norm at many stations. So many staff had been transferred from the dwindling freight side and had little or no patience with passengers. We laugh about the grumpy old buggers we once worked alongside these days.

 

[BeijingDave]

Would you honestly drive just because staff aren't friendly at a station?

Certainly staff attitude influences my decisions about transport.

I will avoid flying when I have an alternative. Not because I am scared of flying. Not because I am worried about my carbon footprint. Largely because I hate being herded through airport security like cattle, to be bossed around by needlessly stern staff. And it's not even avoidable by flying Business Class (except you get a slightly shorter, 'fast-tracked' queue to join).

It's not so far-fetched to think that it would heavily influence someone's decision to use a car over the train.

 

[dk1]

Good for people who make a stand; mistreating customers does have the potential consequence of some people making alternative choices.

I still personally wouldn’t spite the nose off my own face and travel any other way than by train. By the time I’m in the first pub along the prom I would’ve forgotten all about any grumpy railway staff I’d encountered along the way.

 

[ChrisC]

I used to have friends who lived in Blackpool, they were teachers, and I sometimes used to go and stay in their house during August when they were away on holiday. Sometimes I would have a 7 Day NW Rover whilst there and was regularly treated like a naughty little schoolboy because my ticket was rejected by the barrier twice a day for a week. It’s over 10 years now since I last went and very unsatisfactory if the attitude of some of the staff has not changed in that time.

Some parts of Blackpool are awful and I used to keep it a bit quiet about going there each year. Away from the dreadful rough rundown parts I actually found most of the area surrounding Blackpool very nice and did lots of walking in the wider Fylde area. Where my friends lived just back from the North Shore towards Bispham, there were some very pleasant areas annd quite upmarket houses and no more than 30 minutes walk from Blackpool North Station. I felt quite sorry for the people who live around there that Blackpool has such a bad reputation.

 

[yorkie]

I still personally wouldn’t spite the nose off my own face and travel any other way than by train.

I don't think avoiding grumpy people bossing you about is spiting your nose off, if you have a convenient form of transport available (I don't personally but others do)

The rail industry does seem to want to deter people from travelling; it does a good job, as proportionally only a small fraction of journeys are made by train.

By the time I’m in the first pub along the prom I would’ve forgotten all about any grumpy railway staff I’d encountered along the way.

If you are happy to put up with encountering grumpy staff in service based roles that is your choice and if you immediately forget about them then good for you. But that's not relevant to others.

Of course, it's not a surprise that you appear to be dismissive of the behaviour that occurs at Blackpool North, but that doesn't mean it's not an issue.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I have no idea who has managerial oversight for Blackpool North these days, but surely they must be aware of the problem as I suspect there will be lots of passenger complaints. Prior to COVID there was one particular individual whose bad attitude seemed to rub off on the other staff - he was particularly obnoxious marshalling passengers onto rail replacement buses during the electrification / resignalling works. I'm aiming to visit Blackpool when the tramway extension opens, so it will interesting to see what the 'welcoming committee' is like now.

 

[185]

Whilst it's never an excuse, the lovely friendly, sober, well-behaved anima passengers passing through the station probably creates workers like that.

A truly grim place, not entirely the fault of the railway. I'd be tempted to get a taxi to Layton & pick it up there.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I'd be tempted to get a taxi to Layton & pick it up there.

That only works for one train per hour (one of the Blackpool-Manchester Airport ones), compared to the 4 TPH that usually run (plus the occasional Avanti).

The last time I was at Blackpool North I didn't experience any problems, we were let onto the platform right as the queue of people leaving the train had all had their tickets checked.
Although it was an Avanti we were getting on so it is probably treated differently to the Northern services.

 

[Geeves]

You'd probably be grumpy dealing with the types passing through into Blackpool N on a hot sunny day not to mention grumpy train spotters spoiling for a fight. I've passed through hundreds of times and not had an issue.

 

[yorkie]

I have no idea who has managerial oversight for Blackpool North these days, but surely they must be aware of the problem as I suspect there will be lots of passenger complaints. Prior to COVID there was one particular individual whose bad attitude seemed to rub off on the other staff - he was particularly obnoxious marshalling passengers onto rail replacement buses during the electrification / resignalling works. I'm aiming to visit Blackpool when the tramway extension opens, so it will interesting to see what the 'welcoming committee' is like now.

I am sure they must be aware of the concerns that have been raised by numerous passengers; they probably don't see it as a 'problem'.

Whilst it's never an excuse, the lovely friendly, sober, well-behaved anima passengers passing through the station probably creates workers like that.

You'd probably be grumpy dealing with the types passing through into Blackpool N on a hot sunny day not to mention grumpy train spotters spoiling for a fight. I've passed through hundreds of times and not had an issue.

I don't get that at all. I've got experience of jobs where I've dealt with difficult customers, but that only made me more determined to be polite to the customers who did behave well.

People in other customer-oriented roles, who encounter some badly behaved customers, do not usually act in such a poor manner to customers who are not doing anything wrong; it's not normal behaviour and is indicative of someone who is in the wrong type of job, and a company who lacks appropriate safeguards to employ the right people, provide adequate training, and to carry out ongoing checks and monitoring to ensure appropriate behaviours by staff.

But none of this is new; we've been through this many times before. No-one is going to change their minds on the subject, and there is no sign of a wholesale change in attitude at this station.

 

[1D54]

How many years have to go by before something is done about this damn place? Northern or whoever is responsible should be sending in people to immediately investigate the attitude and behaviour of their staff. Blackpool is getting a bad enough name as it is without this.

 

[lyndhurst25]

This has been a problem at Blackpool North for a very long time. As a kid we had a family holiday in Blackpool and remember the staff there being grumpy and unwelcoming way back then. Moonraker was on at the pictures, so it must have been 1979.

 

[43066]

I don’t think I could ever take it that personally. Some staff in my nearest Sainsbury’s aren’t very friendly but I wouldn’t put myself out to go anywhere else. Although I regularly join the queue at Blackpool North I’ve never had to rush to the train. It’s just one of those things that happen at that station. I’m actually looking at booking another trip soon to tick the new Holiday Inn & the tram extension.

These threads pop up every so often. I’m tempted to visit to see for myself whether the staff really are rude, or whether it’s just something people on here complain about!

The arrangement of not letting people onto the platform until just before departure doesn’t sound ideal, and is an obvious source of conflict. It’s hard to imagine what the reason for that might be when other much busier stations don’t do it.

 

[dk1]

These threads pop up every so often. I’m tempted to visit to see for myself whether the staff really are rude, or whether it’s just something people on here complain about!

The arrangement of not letting people onto the platform until just before departure doesn’t sound ideal, and is an obvious source of conflict. It’s hard to imagine what the reason for that might be when other much busier stations don’t do it.

Not sure if it’s to keep them out of the cleaners way if trains have short turnarounds. Those that want to photograph seem to have particular issues with the staff here. I’ve passed through many many times and just take it for what it is. As long as I get my train I don’t really care.

 

[Trackman]

Not sure if it’s to keep them out of the cleaners way if trains have short turnarounds. Those that want to photograph seem to have particular issues with the staff here. I’ve passed through many many times and just take it for what it is. As long as I get my train I don’t really care.

I think the official line is overcrowding / chances of people falling on the tracks.
Make of it what you will.

 

[dk1]

I think the official line is overcrowding / chances of people falling on the tracks.
Make of it what you will.

So very odd if that is the official line. Where does falling onto the tracks ever come into any consideration? If London & the SE can function as well as other metropolis, what’s so special about Blackpool North?

 

[trebor79]

So very odd if that is the official line. Where does falling onto the tracks ever come into any consideration? If London & the SE can function as well as other metropolis, what’s so special about Blackpool North?

They should send them down to have a look at Vauxhall platform 8 in the evening rush hour. Really narrow where you come up the stairs and at lots of other points. They don't actually bother to shout at people over the yellow line because it's so crowded and in any case there are points where the yellow line is only inches away from a structure.

 

[Horizon22]

I don't think avoiding grumpy people bossing you about is spiting your nose off, if you have a convenient form of transport available (I don't personally but others do)

The rail industry does seem to want to deter people from travelling; it does a good job, as proportionally only a small fraction of journeys are made by train.

If you are happy to put up with encountering grumpy staff in service based roles that is your choice and if you immediately forget about them then good for you. But that's not relevant to others.

Of course, it's not a surprise that you appear to be dismissive of the behaviour that occurs at Blackpool North, but that doesn't mean it's not an issue.

So very odd if that is the official line. Where does falling onto the tracks ever come into any consideration? If London & the SE can function as well as other metropolis, what’s so special about Blackpool North?

I think Blackpool North though is a very special and particular case, far beyond any of the other 2,500+ stations on the network because it features on a nearly quarterly basis! Quite why this has come about is probably a unique set of circumstances but baffling to many.

I wouldn't use it to necessarily make any wider assumptions about the rest of the network!

 

[dk1]

They should send them down to have a look at Vauxhall platform 8 in the evening rush hour. Really narrow where you come up the stairs and at lots of other points. They don't actually bother to shout at people over the yellow line because it's so crowded and in any case there are points where the yellow line is only inches away from a structure.

Yes like many other parts of the busier national network. Common sense seems lacking replaced by risk liability in every walk of life. Really is quite demoralising.