London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is celebrating the opening of a new stylish First Class lounge at York Station, offering an enhanced experience for those travelling to one of the region’s most popular destinations.
The lounge has been specially designed to feature some of York’s rich heritage and provide a relaxing atmosphere for customers wanting to take a break or use the contemporary space to work before continuing their journey.
York has been one of the largest stations on the East Coast route without lounge facilities for customers travelling in First Class. As more people look forward to visiting York by train this summer, those with First Class tickets will be able to access the new lounge free of charge.
During the past 18 months, LNER has completed an ambitious improvement programme at the Grade 2 listed station, despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
An enhanced travel centre was opened in September 2020 and toilet facilities throughout the station have been entirely renovated.
LNER is also providing a boost for the local economy, especially the independent business community, with several new tenants opening at York Station in the coming months.
York Gin, Potions Cauldron and Spring Espresso are all preparing to add diversity to the retail offering available at the station. Pret A Manger is another new tenant at the station, with Sainsbury’s opening its doors on Thursday 29 July.
Claire Ansley, Customer Experience Director at LNER, said: “A First Class lounge facility at York Station has been on the wish list for people travelling through the station for some time, so we’re really excited to roll out a warm welcome to business and leisure travellers visiting this fantastic new lounge.
“Thousands of passengers travel with us every day to and from York and the wider region, so it is important that the station offers a brilliant experience alongside our dedicated station team.
“From the retail offering to providing the right facilities for our customers, we’re transforming the station as we play our part in helping the local community and economy thrive.”
Opening ahead of Yorkshire Day on 1 August, guests from across the community were invited to preview the lounge before it officially opened to customers.
Tim Dunn, railway historian and broadcaster, who officially opened the lounge, said: “It’s brilliant to see a First Class lounge return to York station, following the closure of the original facilities several decades ago. York holds an incredible amount of historic importance particularly for the railway, so it great to see the lounge incorporate some of this history, giving visitors a real sense of what the city is about.”
LNER has invested more than £14 million over the past 12 months in improvements to stations and facilities along the East Coast route, including the First Class lounge at York and a significant renovation of Doncaster Station.
Photo credit: LNER
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