RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[Butts]

Did the "Double" This Morning after flying down from Edinburgh to Birmingham as I was travelling to SAD with a connection at New Street.

The BHI Lounge was actually better provisioned than it's New Street counterpart where the Coffee Machine was broken !!

Neither are as good as in Virgin Days but still knock the spots off the "frugal" LNER Lounges.

Have "Uglies" gone for good ?

 

[Bungle965]

Did the "Double" This Morning after flying down from Edinburgh to Birmingham as I was travelling to SAD with a connection at New Street.

The BHI Lounge was actually better provisioned than it's New Street counterpart where the Coffee Machine was broken !!

Neither are as good as in Virgin Days but still knock the spots off the "frugal" LNER Lounges.

Have "Uglies" gone for good ?

The lounges are supposed to be receiving new lavazza coffee machines, Manchester FCL has already received their.

Sadly yes, the Uglies are gone.

 

[Butts]

The lounges are supposed to be receiving new lavazza coffee machines, Manchester FCL has already received their.

Sadly yes, the Uglies are gone.

When I was in Birmingham International on Saturday the machine was not dispensing Cappuccinos or Lattes et al most disappointing.

Hopefully the new machine is due imminently.

Also noticed they don't have "proper" crisps anymore just Indian Snacks and Pizza Bits - Oh for the days when 50g Walkers Grab Bags were the order of the day.

 

[Merle Haggard]

A few weeks ago I used the New Street lounge and the hot drinks offer was a stack of Nescafe sachets and a tap that provided either chilled or not particularly hot water The machine that offered variety had been removed. Is this a permanent change, or will a machine return, does any one know?

 

[Butts]

A few weeks ago I used the New Street lounge and the hot drinks offer was a stack of Nescafe sachets and a tap that provided either chilled or not particularly hot water The machine that offered variety had been removed. Is this a permanent change, or will a machine return, does any one know?

According to @Bungle 965 new machines are in the offing ?

 

[Merle Haggard]

According to @Bungle 965 new machines are in the offing ?

Thanks, yes, but I asked the question because that post was a while ago and there didn't seem to be any progress since. Curiously, the New Street did seem to have been refurbished on my mocha-deserted visit (for example Avanti house colours seating), but maybe I hadn't noticed before.
An odd minor point is that, from memory, the floor around the T.V. (which wasn't working either!) had an interlocking hexagon (honeycomb) pattern. When this appeared at the Piccadilly one, people thought it was to reflect the Manchester <> Bee connection but possibly it's just Avanti design.

 

[Tester]

I used both Birmingham International and New Street lounges on Tuesday.

In both cases there was a, what looked to me to be new, Lavazza machine in service.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I used both Birmingham International and New Street lounges on Tuesday.

In both cases there was a, what looked to me to be new, Lavazza machine in service.

Good news, thanks.

I did wonder whether the Nescafe sachets were another (permanent) Avanti economy change.

 

[ScotTrains]

I haven't see this mentioned on the forums yet, but I've just seen that Glasgow Central is to get a new Avanti First Class Lounge, opening later this year. The existing lounge will remain open until the new one is ready. It appears to be near where Burger King/Upper crust used to be. The pictures look like it might even be upstairs overlooking the concourse. I've always quite liked the existing lounge but the pictures of the new lounge look quite cosy/small and rather unexciting. It'll certainly be more convienient for the trains though. https://www.networkrailmediacentre....-at-glasgow-central-as-part-of-gbp-5m-upgrade

There is no mention of the new Glasgow lounge on the Avanti website, but they do appear to be planning new 1st class lounges at Preston, Stockport and Rugby. It's on their delivery plan pdf. https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/whats-in-store

 

[Travelmonkey]

Was at Rugby a month or so ago and there is some work being done in the central building (platform 2,3,4 island) at the south end, not sure if it's first class longe related or changing places related either way both will be welcome additions to the station.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I haven't see this mentioned on the forums yet, but I've just seen that Glasgow Central is to get a new Avanti First Class Lounge, opening later this year. The existing lounge will remain open until the new one is ready. It appears to be near where Burger King/Upper crust used to be. The pictures look like it might even be upstairs overlooking the concourse. I've always quite liked the existing lounge but the pictures of the new lounge look quite cosy/small and rather unexciting. It'll certainly be more convienient for the trains though. https://www.networkrailmediacentre....-at-glasgow-central-as-part-of-gbp-5m-upgrade

There is no mention of the new Glasgow lounge on the Avanti website, but they do appear to be planning new 1st class lounges at Preston, Stockport and Rugby. It's on their delivery plan pdf. https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/whats-in-store

Being a prospective user of it I had rather given up hope!. Although it was in the Avanti new franchise plan - probably related to the extra calls at Rugby of the Manchester and Scottish services - it went quiet; and also the Stoke-O-T and Coventry ones were closed, suggesting a lack of interest away from the big flows..

 

[PaxVobiscum]

EDIT: Sorry about the pics there - there should be 2 different pics now.
I’m glad the Glasgow 1st class Lounge is being replaced. Much as I have enjoyed it over the years the current one was definitely past its best when I was last there in late August this year with some of the furniture looking distinctly tatty.

 

[Horseman]

Preston could definitely do with a first class lounge given how busy the place is and how poor the current provision of any kind is for passenger waiting areas.

 

[Butts]

Birmingham International Avanti Lounge have introduced an automated door entry system that is supposed to scan your ticket to allow entry. Only problem is from my visit this morning's evidence it doesn't seem to work.

There is a fall back buzzer which no one answers, had to get a gate line assistant to let me in.

Nice post easyJet breakfast of orange juice, cappuccino, croissant and a few lily O'Brien chocolate bars to go all gratis with a £6.30 ticket.

Have any other Avanti Lounges introduced these ticket scanners ?

 

[Bungle965]

Have any other Avanti Lounges introduced these ticket scanners ?

Liverpool, again though often doesn’t work

 

[Travelmonkey]

Being a prospective user of it I had rather given up hope!. Although it was in the Avanti new franchise plan - probably related to the extra calls at Rugby of the Manchester and Scottish services - it went quiet; and also the Stoke-O-T and Coventry ones were closed, suggesting a lack of interest away from the big flows..

Stoke's was replaced with a local pub BOD, I do wonder if there is more a scope for a local trader to open a cafe/bar, although BOD Stoke is more a wet sales pub now,

 

[Bungle965]

Stoke's was replaced with a local pub BOD, I do wonder if there is more a scope for a local trader to open a cafe/bar, although BOD Stoke is more a wet sales pub now,

Decent little pub that is an all!

 

[raveon]

Is the automated scanner meant to work with paper tickets too or just e-tickets?

 

[Bungle965]

Is the automated scanner meant to work with paper tickets too or just e-tickets?

Does your paper ticket have an Aztec code? If not you have to get someone to manually let you in.

 

[Butts]

According to LNER's website Edinburgh Waverley Lounge is closed due to unforeseen circumstances until further notice.

Anyone got the heads up on this ?

 

[Doctor Pepper]

According to LNER's website Edinburgh Waverley Lounge is closed due to unforeseen circumstances until further notice.

Anyone got the heads up on this ?

I thought it was closed for "maintenance"? That's what I read the other day.

 

[Butts]

Are Avanti Lounges open Christmas Eve - thinking of Birmingham International in particular early doors.

In the LNER Lounge at Edinburgh Monday and they have upped their game since my last visit.

Cappuccino, Biscuits, Crisps, Muffins.

Almost up to Avanti standards.

 

[800Travel]

Are Avanti Lounges open Christmas Eve - thinking of Birmingham International in particular early doors.

In the LNER Lounge at Edinburgh Monday and they have upped their game since my last visit.

Cappuccino, Biscuits, Crisps, Muffins.

Almost up to Avanti standards.

LNER lounges, Kings Cross and Newcastle at least, normally have crisps and biscuits. Guessing the coffee machines in both do cappuccino. Muffins are depending on the time you visit - IIRC they are a breakfast thing. Might be new to Edinburgh though.

 

[Butts]

LNER lounges, Kings Cross and Newcastle at least, normally have crisps and biscuits. Guessing the coffee machines in both do cappuccino. Muffins are depending on the time you visit - IIRC they are a breakfast thing. Might be new to Edinburgh though.

Only things they seem to be missing (compared to Avanti - Birmingham International) cans of Pepsi, Bottles Orange Juice, Mini Chocolate Bars and a few other bits.

 

[A S Leib]

LNER lounges, Kings Cross and Newcastle at least, normally have crisps and biscuits. Guessing the coffee machines in both do cappuccino. Muffins are depending on the time you visit - IIRC they are a breakfast thing. Might be new to Edinburgh though.

The muffins aside, that was my experience at York on Saturday.

 

[Butts]

LNER lounges, Kings Cross and Newcastle at least, normally have crisps and biscuits. Guessing the coffee machines in both do cappuccino. Muffins are depending on the time you visit - IIRC they are a breakfast thing. Might be new to Edinburgh though.

It was a 1430 Train so not breakfast time !!

Really nice muffins as well.

 

[Discuss223]

EDIT: Sorry about the pics there - there should be 2 different pics now.
I’m glad the Glasgow 1st class Lounge is being replaced. Much as I have enjoyed it over the years the current one was definitely past its best when I was last there in late August this year with some of the furniture looking distinctly tatty.
View attachment 167129View attachment 167130

The red looks to be a hangover from Virgin days. Avanti are the only operator I've encountered who have signs saying that there is CCTV right above the refreshments. They may as well say "we're watching you, don't put anything in your bag!". I do find the Avanti lounges to be far better stocked than LNER ones though.

 

[route101]

Last time I was at the LNER lounge in Edinburgh it was just biscuits, tea/coffee and water. Would be nice to see some soft drinks as we don't all drink hot drinks.

 

[800Travel]

Last time I was at the LNER lounge in Edinburgh it was just biscuits, tea/coffee and water. Would be nice to see some soft drinks as we don't all drink hot drinks.

Yeah, soft drinks would be good. At Kings Cross and York I've seen them having orange squash out, but that's it. Actually, at York I think at one point they had some kind of yellow canned (passionfruit??) non-alcoholic cocktail or something too.

 

[Deerfold]

Last time I was at the LNER lounge in Edinburgh it was just biscuits, tea/coffee and water. Would be nice to see some soft drinks as we don't all drink hot drinks.

It's a long time since they've had pop, and then only at Kings Cross.