AVANTI West Coast’s new ticket office and first class lounge has opened with Glasgow Central as part of the £5 million upgrade of the station.
The firm has relocated to the historic Caledonian Chambers on the east side of the concourse from its old ticket office on Gordon Street, which will now be converted into two new retail units.
The new ticket office has two welcome desks, more ticket machines, and user-friendly information screens. Staff will also be equipped with handheld devices to assist with customer queries and provide a more visible presence. Its new location is also nearer to platforms 1 and 2, where Avanti West Coast services arrive and depart.
As part of the project, a brand-new step-free Network Rail station reception has also been created on the concourse level of Caledonian Chambers to improve accessibility, particularly for those with wheelchairs, prams or luggage.
The renovation project has also helped preserve the historic nature of the building with work being undertaken to restore original features in Caledonian Chambers. Network Rail received a £52,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust to refurbish some of the sash windows on the building façade, which feature in Avanti West Coast’s First Class Lounge.
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland MD, said, “This project represents an exciting opportunity to enhance facilities within the station in what is a multi-million-pound investment in Glasgow Central.
“The upgrade we are delivering will improve choice for our passengers and better serve the needs of our retailers by creating more modern commercial spaces within the station.”
Andy Mellors, MD of Avanti West Coast, added, “We’ve been looking forward to opening the doors to our new Ticket Office and First Class Lounge following this latest investment to improve journeys on the west coast. Glasgow is a key destination on our route and a city we’re proud to serve, so we’re absolutely delighted we now have welcoming facilities that complement the beautiful station and can be enjoyed by our customers travelling to and from Glasgow Central.
“These facilities offer a better experience with improved accessibility, as well as making it easier to buy tickets and find journey information. Our new location in Caledonian Chambers also means we’re closer to our customers on Platforms 1 and 2. It has been great working with Network Rail Scotland to transform these spaces, as part of their Glasgow Central station upgrade project and we look forward to seeing further improvements.”
