Great Western Coffee Shop

I was recently privileged enough to be offered the chance to travel First Class on a business trip to Cambridge. The journey went off fairly well (leaving aside the fact there was inevitably no train at all from Melksham which would get me to either Chippenham or Westbury in time to pick up an express to Paddington) but on reaching Kings Cross and finding I had time to spare, I toddled along to the First Class Lounge to avail myself of a cup of tea and sit-down while I waited.

I was refused entry. Apparently a First Class ticket issued by First Great Western doesn't entitle you to enter any First Class lounge on the route - only lounges at stations operated by FGW (so, that would be just Paddington and Bristol TM then, at a guess?). I know this whinge isn't going to elicit much sympathy from the majority, squashed daily into cattle class (as indeed I usually am), but all the same - if you've paid through the nose for "first class" through to your final destination I think on principle you ought to be able to use the facilities on the whole of the route. Grrr.

There aren't First Class facilities on trains to Cambridge, i don't think so technically they are correct.

I made the journey from Melksham to Ely (via King's Cross and Cambridge) in November last year.  There was certainly First Class on the train out of King's Cross that day - we used it  ;D

There are indeed First Class facilities on the train. And I sat in there, too. That's not what I referred to though - it's the use of the First Class Lounge itself (with business centre, lounge area, snacks and toilets) at Kings Cross which FGW First Class ticket holders are not allowed access to. Even with a valid ticket to a station served by a train leaving from Kings Cross.

Thats bizaree, as you had a First Class ticket. Unless of course NXEC have simply banned FCC from using it.

i've had this before as well

What I tend to do is gt a FGW first class ticket for the FGW portion and then A.N other for the onward journey

Usually my problem is with the Virgin lounge at Euston

I don't know for definate, but I would guess it's because it's operated by NXEC. If you have a FGW tickets, NXEC won't get the money, so it's most likely a revenue thing.

Best thing to do is talk to NXEC and see what the ruling is.

Edit:

http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.co.uk/en/Onboard-Our-Trains1/In-your-carriage/First-Class-Facilities/
Our First Class Lounges are open to customers who hold one of the following ticket types:

    * Fully inter-available First Class Season Ticket (i.e. tickets not specific to one train company)
    * Any First Class Open ticket valid for travel on the National Express East Coast route
    * Any National Express East Coast Executive packages

So unfortunately they were right to turn you away..

I think I'd rather have that recorded as "unfortunately they were following the rules in turning you away", thanks Ollie.

It's not "right" whichever angle you try to look at it from.

You may not see it as being right, but in terms of share holders it's a business.

I apologise for the wording.

But they did the job they had to do, therefore it was right.

Take it up with whoever runs the First Class lounge at Kings Cross then. Or I suppose that's a First Great Western problem too!