It isn't always viable to do anything. Manchester Victoria is somewhat "stuck" in terms of the Arena above it. Only getting rid of that will allow the improvements that are needed - just like it required carving out half of the shopping centre on top of New St to make that acceptable.
The other bit (Metrolink and the bays) has had a lot spent on it, but the "problem" bit (under the Arena) is too hemmed in.
I agree. However ... is there anything that could be done to ameliorate it, a bit even?
I've not been travelling the country so much for a while, and never been to Manchester Victoria
but certainly found Birmingham New Street so dark and gloomy- it was hard to imagine it could not have been made lighter and brighter. I can certainly see that platform widenings to accommodate the number of people not anticipated back in the 60s etc can't be done; nor more platforms; and of course short trains don't help ...
I can also recall XC pocket timetables that suggest changing at Wolverhampton or Birmingham International instead, and saying why.
I imagine there may be quite a few locations where maybe signage could be improved, seating, waiting rooms(?), toilets attended to and at no great cost.
A location I recall- Bicester North southbound- 'raised beds' with only weeds- perhaps it's too late now to hope Bicester Village would 'support' them since they got their own station!