St. Pancras - old booking office

[ic250]

Does anyone know what happened to the old booking office structure at St. Pancras, after the redevelopment of the station?

I know the room is now used as a bar, but I'm interested to know what happened to the original ticket booth (see pictures here)

I'm also interested to know if anyone knows of other stations which still have the old Victorian/Edwardian ticket booths? I know that they exist still at Manchester Victoria, and at London Marylebone (now obscured by the M&S supermarket). It seems that most stations which did have them even until the 1980s have had them replaced by travel centres.

 

[BahrainLad]

If you go inside the bar, I think the original booth in your photos is used now as...the bar.

 

[Roast Veg]

Yes, it's extraordinarily expensive too.

 

[yorksrob]

Manchester Victoria's are still there and still dispensing train tickets.

 

[ic250]

If you go inside the bar, I think the original booth in your photos is used now as...the bar.

Ah apologies, I haven't actually been in, I just didn't see it in the photos.

It's a pity it's no longer used for its original function.

 

[Steveman]

Yes, it's extraordinarily expensive too.

Legal robbery I'd call it.

 

[HLE]

How much we talking here? For a pint?

 

[EM2]

How much we talking here? For a pint?

Six quid.
http://www.stpancraslondon.com/media/2982/booking-office-summer-drink-list.pdf

 

[HLE]

Good grief.

One to avoid, not that I go anywhere near there mind.

 

[Busaholic]

Good grief.

I believe you can pay £14 plus for a pint of Double IPA in a pub in Borough Market.

 

[BahrainLad]

The bar is technically a part of, and managed by, the five star hotel next door (a Marriott?) and therefore the prices are what you would expect from such an establishment in Central London.

When it first opened I used to pop along for a Saturday afternoon 'treat' of their Club Sandwich and a couple of glasses of red - the Club Sandwich wasn't cheap but it was huge, four large sections on a big platter with chips and a bit of salad. However after a while they changed the menu and the prices went up further, and the sandwich literally reduced by 50%. A lengthy social media conversation ensued with the hotel (with accompanying photographic evidence) and they ended up losing a previously loyal regular customer. Shame. Incidentally the old wine list, now sadly replaced, listed the wines under "British Empire" and "Other" which was a nice touch.

The Gilbert Scott restaurant is good. If someone else is paying.

 

[adamello]

Good grief.

One to avoid, not that I go anywhere near there mind.

nip under to KX and pop up to the parcel room, still eye watering, but not so much

 

[Hadders]

nip under to KX and pop up to the parcel room, still eye watering, but not so much

Better still one of the 'spit and sawdust' establishments in the back streets nearby for an authentic experience at a fraction of the price!

 

[infobleep]

Queenstown Road (Battersea) has the old ticket booths. The office is now a cafe.

 

[zn1]

dont quote me on this, but i believe the old booking interior was moved to windsor & Eton Central station, and is now part of the Piazza complex on the station site.

 

[greyman42]

Good grief.

One to avoid, not that I go anywhere near there mind.

Six pound a pint is not all that expensive for central London, and if the interior is worth seeing then fine. £4-50 to £5 is the norm.

 

[Lee_Again]

I'd rather pay £6 a pint in an amazing venue than £3 a pint in some sh** high street dive full of idiots.

Of course, the pint isn't worth £6, but the fixtures and fittings around you aren't free and the cost reflects that.

You either value your surroundings or you don't. Bit like the First Class argument I guess. I happily pay for that for largely the same reasons.

 

[IanD]

Six pound a pint is not all that expensive for central London, and if the interior is worth seeing then fine. £4-50 to £5 is the norm.

You can see the interior for free then head over to the Betjeman Arms in the opposite corner for some cheaper beer at the £5 a pint level. Or better still, to the Scottish Stores on the other side of King's Cross for some decent ale.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, it's extraordinarily expensive too.

They charge a fee to serve the drinks even if you order and pay at the bar. And it's not a mistake.

Absolute rip off, but it's a nice venue so I've been stupid enough to go three times now (but never for long, more a place to have one drink and chat).

As said, The Betjeman Arms is better for a few drinks.. but I think everyone has to visit the hotel bar at least once. Nothing to stop you wandering around without spending a penny (and talking of which, you may wish to use their facilities and see a bit more of the old station).

 

[greyman42]

I believe you can pay £14 plus for a pint of Double IPA in a pub in Borough Market.

Do you know the name of the pub ?

 

[IanD]

Do you know the name of the pub ?

The Rake - but it was only £13.40