"Delicious" announcement

[6Gman]

A new - deeply irritating - announcement has emerged at Virgin-managed WCML stations.

We are informed that "a delicious range of hot and cold ... blah blah blah" are available on whichever service is being announced.

Now, I've got no problem with "a service of hot and cold refreshments is available on this service". But "delicious" is a subjective value judgement which - in my experience - rarely if ever applies to the mass catering and limited offerings on Pendolinos and "Super" Voyagers.

Rant over.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

About as annoying on the lack of hot food at Temple Meads - apart from a ridiculously overpriced £4.99 Pastie . Rant .....

(PS - a friend bought a Pastie from the "award winning shop" on a 390 , they were unable to heat it , so in desperation he bit into it cold - to find it almost frozen. Must have done about 30 circuits on the Liverpool / Glasgow interworked diagrams.)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Temple Meads has an incredibly limited selection of retail for a big city station that is not near the shopping area of the city so has a good captive market for it. But then I suppose it lacks any kind of proper concourse. Carlisle and Preston are similar but at least there is plenty near both.

 

[PR1Berske]

And there's the "download the app to watch your favourite films" or whatever she is programmed to say. It turns a platform announcement into an ad break!

 

[prod_pep]

Yes, I heard this last Thursday at Crewe, announced alongside predictable wibble about the BEAM app. Ridiculous.

What makes it worse is that the voice is now the harsh and grating tones of "Anne", rather than the previous voice which was far nicer to listen to.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Temple Meads has an incredibly limited selection of retail for a big city station that is not near the shopping area of the city so has a good captive market for it. But then I suppose it lacks any kind of proper concourse. Carlisle and Preston are similar but at least there is plenty near both.

Very much so - not much around and no incentive on a horribly cold and wet Maundy Thursday. Must be some opportunties there in this customer led railway !

(Carlisle I know - plenty of decent places within a short walk , Preston - no knowledge !)

 

[6Gman]

Yes, I heard this last Thursday at Crewe, announced alongside predictable wibble about the BEAM app. Ridiculous.

What makes it worse is that the voice is now the harsh and grating tones of "Anne", rather than the previous voice which was far nicer to listen to.

Perhaps they should let a certain local announcer loose on it?

 

[Bertie the bus]

The new announcement is certainly annoying but on the plus side VTWC stations seem to have stopped playing the CCTV monitoring centre stand clear of the platform edge announcements every 15 minutes, though they have been replaced by see it, say it, sorted - so you just can't win.

Just leave me in peace!

 

[headshot119]

Very much so - not much around and no incentive on a horribly cold and wet Maundy Thursday. Must be some opportunties there in this customer led railway !

(Carlisle I know - plenty of decent places within a short walk , Preston - no knowledge !)

For your future reference.

Go straight up the main station ramp turn right at the top. There's a Subway and KFC not far on the left hand side. Alternatively go out the footbridge exit, into the shopping centre and there's a Maccies.

 

[adrock1976]

For your future reference.

Go straight up the main station ramp turn right at the top. There's a Subway and KFC not far on the left hand side. Alternatively go out the footbridge exit, into the shopping centre and there's a Maccies.

Is there anything else that is better around the vicinity of Preston station?

Subway, KFC, and Maccies are junk food, so not much of a choice really. It's similar if sentenced to the death penalty when asked if you would like to be hung, face a firing squad, or lethal injection.

 

[headshot119]

Very much so - not much around and no incentive on a horribly cold and wet Maundy Thursday. Must be some opportunties there in this customer led railway !

(Carlisle I know - plenty of decent places within a short walk , Preston - no knowledge !)

Is there anything else that is better around the vicinity of Preston station?

Subway, KFC, and Maccies are junk food, so not much of a choice really. It's similar if sentenced to the death penalty when asked if you would like to be hung, face a firing squad, or lethal injection.

If you head for the KFC and Subway, there's a couple of chippes, a Greggs and various other food outlets either on the way, or just past them.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

If you head for the KFC and Subway, there's a couple of chippes, a Greggs and various other food outlets either on the way, or just past them.

Perfect - thank you - noted ! (like the sound of a proper Chippy) - I resent this "monopoly" mark up of prices and lack of choice in many places. £4.99 for a simple pastie really is extracting the urine .....always try and support local tradespeople if I can. (PS - my daughter has a part time job in Greggs - near Brighton station - does a roaring trade , and as a student enjoys the job and the discounts !)

 

[Parallel]

The new announcement is certainly annoying but on the plus side VTWC stations seem to have stopped playing the CCTV monitoring centre stand clear of the platform edge announcements every 15 minutes, though they have been replaced by see it, say it, sorted - so you just can't win.

Just leave me in peace!

It is at Birmingham International, with the smoking one too.
--
I don't like the idea of 'delicious' hot and cold snacks being announced at stations - Also as Anne's voice is cold, I'd imagine for it to sound not quite right.
--
Bristol Temple Meads has a McColls nearby that has a selection of hot pasties and hot dogs at fairly reasonable prices. There's not a lot else around though.

 

[Mag_seven]

A new - deeply irritating - announcement has emerged at Virgin-managed WCML stations.

We are informed that "a delicious range of hot and cold ... blah blah blah" are available on whichever service is being announced.

Now, I've got no problem with "a service of hot and cold refreshments is available on this service". But "delicious" is a subjective value judgement which - in my experience - rarely if ever applies to the mass catering and limited offerings on Pendolinos and "Super" Voyagers.

Rant over.

Branson with this (and those inane toilet announcements) has turned what used to be a serious Intercity operation into a joke.

 

[Smethwickian]

I'm glad someone else heard the '''delicious" announcement because I genuinely thought I was hearing things.

Announcements should be confined to factual matters, commercially neutral, especially when one TOC would be giving itself some unwarranted free advertising at its managed stations.

I don't even see why Virgin-run stations like Birmingham New Street should announce "the 1130 Virgin Pendolino service to..." wherever. They do not, after all, announce the "1125 Arrival Trains Wales class 158 service to..." or the "1207 London Northwestern class 350/1 service to...".

 

[83G/84D]

Temple Meads has an incredibly limited selection of retail for a big city station that is not near the shopping area of the city so has a good captive market for it. But then I suppose it lacks any kind of proper concourse. Carlisle and Preston are similar but at least there is plenty near both.

There is a Wetherspoons pub and a Starbucks coffee shop just outside Temple Meads station found by exiting the station by the side entrance and crossing the road. literally 2-3 minutes walk. Outside the main entrance as you walk down to the main road there are a couple of cafes. 10 minutes walk away on Victoria Street there is a selection of cafes and shops.

Much better than the rubbish on offer at the outlets on the station at inflated prices.

Preston:- As already mentioned exit the station via the footbridge onto the main road. There is a pub on the corner and another in front of you. Turn right and follow the road along. Several take away food outlets along here.

 

[306024]

Branson with this (and those inane toilet announcements) has turned what used to be a serious Intercity operation into a joke.

All part of the chummy Virgin brand I’m afraid. I hate it too, but won’t let it spoil my life.

On the Norwich InterCity trains the catering has been outsourced. So we now have the chance to buy ‘butties’ according to the catering announcements. Fine for ‘oop north’, but it just sounds wrong in this part of the world.

 

[londonmidland]

I don't even see why Virgin-run stations like Birmingham New Street should announce "the 1130 Virgin Pendolino service to..." wherever. They do not, after all, announce the "1125 Arrival Trains Wales class 158 service to..." or the "1207 London Northwestern class 350/1 service to...".

Birmingham New Street is Network Rail run and owned and as far as I’m aware only at Liverpool Lime Street do they announce Virgin services as ‘Virgin Pendolino’ unless New Street has changed wording recently.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The first-class* complimentary snack-boxes on weekends on Virgin Cross-Country back in the day certainly weren't delicious!

Rubbery ham, a "cheese food slice" and a French roll that could be considered an offensive weapon. Though at least they did something on weekends on XC back then, I guess.

*=I was on an advance, Preston to Taunton direct for about a tenner. Cheapest standard was £25 on the same train.

 

[extendedpaul]

Is there anything else that is better around the vicinity of Preston station?

Subway, KFC, and Maccies are junk food, so not much of a choice really. It's similar if sentenced to the death penalty when asked if you would like to be hung, face a firing squad, or lethal injection.

That's harsh on Subway. Can be a healthy sandwich or salad bowl exactly to personal taste.

 

[Agent_Squash]

What makes it worse is that the voice is now the harsh and grating tones of "Anne", rather than the previous voice which was far nicer to listen to.

They replaced the old voice? It was really natural, far more than compared to Anne.

 

[Smethwickian]

Birmingham New Street is Network Rail run and owned and as far as I’m aware only at Liverpool Lime Street do they announce Virgin services as ‘Virgin Pendolino’ unless New Street has changed wording recently.

Apologies - I was thinking of Wolverhampton and Coventry but have just this afternoon gone through New Street so had it on my mind (I always think of it as somewhat dominated by VT if not run by the TOC because of the VT ticket office and barrier staff).

 

[Bertiethebobby]

On my travels I always seek out and make a note of where I can get food, booze,takeaways and/or pubs near stations. A few big stations now have a Sainsbury's or M&S co-located so has made it a bit easier lately.

 

[Bertiethebobby]

All part of the chummy Virgin brand I’m afraid. I hate it too, but won’t let it spoil my life.

On the Norwich InterCity trains the catering has been outsourced. So we now have the chance to buy ‘butties’ according to the catering announcements. Fine for ‘oop north’, but it just sounds wrong in this part of the world.

It must be a problem on Anglo/Scottish services too. Maybe they should change the announcements at Crewe!

 

[sheff1]

About as annoying on the lack of hot food at Temple Meads

Are you talking about takeaway food for a train ? The cafe on the approach road is OK, but limited hours.

Bonapartes pub on the station used to sell meals. Not that I have even tried them, with both Don Giovanni's and a Wetherspoons being 2 minutes walk away.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Are you talking about takeaway food for a train ? The cafe on the approach road is OK, but limited hours.

Bonapartes pub on the station used to sell meals. Not that I have even tried them, with both Don Giovanni's and a Wetherspoons being 2 minutes walk away.

So I gather - and thank you - Bonapartes seems keen on flogging drink (and cans for the journey !) - not food.

Weather was worse than dire , so stepping out aimlessly was not an option - starved accordingly ! - poor show really for such a busy interchange and originating station. Give me say Brighton or even Derby anyday!

 

[BestWestern]

Temple Meads is long overdue a damn good sprucing up, sadly this was all tied in to the electrification works and seems likely to have died along with it. It's a beautiful, interesting, grand old station, but currently it's run down and shabby. A real shame.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Temple Meads is long overdue a damn good sprucing up, sadly this was all tied in to the electrification works and seems likely to have died along with it. It's a beautiful, interesting, grand old station, but currently it's run down and shabby. A real shame.

There were options / plans for a re-use of the Digby-Wyatt 1841 or so Trainshed , even if not used for rail , it would make a superb concourse / proper food outlet. Agreed , it is a magnificent station with masses of character from the 19thC and later. Ought to be at St Pancras levels of ambience ....

 

[Matt_pool]

There is a Wetherspoons pub and a Starbucks coffee shop just outside Temple Meads station found by exiting the station by the side entrance and crossing the road. literally 2-3 minutes walk. Outside the main entrance as you walk down to the main road there are a couple of cafes. 10 minutes walk away on Victoria Street there is a selection of cafes and shops.

Much better than the rubbish on offer at the outlets on the station at inflated prices.

There is also a McColls that you have to walk past to get to the Starbucks and Wetherspoons. The McColls sells newspapers, mags, sweets, crisps, soft drinks, booze, sandwiches, pasties etc and is a lot cheaper than the WHSmiths and other places inside the station.

If you are walking towards Temple Meads from the city centre you pass a Tesco Express on Victoria Street.

But yes, for its size, the facilities at Temple Meads are awful. The toilets are in the subway for example, so you need to remember to go before you exit through the ticket barriers!

 

[TwinTurbostar]

Apologies - I was thinking of Wolverhampton and Coventry but have just this afternoon gone through New Street so had it on my mind (I always think of it as somewhat dominated by VT if not run by the TOC because of the VT ticket office and barrier staff).

I wonder if they'll stop saying Pendolino or Super Voyager service at Wolverhampton now that it's being operated by WMR. It'd be amusing if they started saying the XXXX London Northwestern Railway Desiro service or the XXXX West Midlands Railway Spaceship service.