New First Class Lounge opens at Sheffield station

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Sheffield’s Master Cutler, Bill Speirs, and senior representatives from a host of the region’s key businesses joined East Midlands Trains to mark the official opening of Sheffield station’s brand new First Class Lounge.

Designed to build even further on East Midlands Trains’ service improvements, which have delivered faster and more frequent trains between Sheffield and London, the opening of the new First Class Lounge at Sheffield represents a significant step forward for business travellers. The lounge, which is located on platform 5 at Sheffield station, has been created as part of East Midlands Trains’ £10 million station enhancement programme. Other improvements for Sheffield include the full refurbishment of all the standard class waiting rooms and toilet facilities, as well as improved CCTV throughout the station.

The new lounge will provide a dedicated facility in Sheffield for the first time, and First Class passengers will benefit from complimentary refreshments, newspapers and WiFi.

David Horne, Commercial & Customer Service Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “With the roll-out of faster journeys and twice hourly services, we have demonstrated our determination to provide the best possible service for train passengers between Sheffield and London. This new First Class Lounge raises the facilities for business travellers even further and completes our programme to provide First Class lounges at all of our major city stations.

“As well as providing a new dedicated First Class facility, we’re also in the process of refurbishing all of the waiting rooms and toilet facilities at Sheffield, so all passengers using the station will benefit from this significant investment programme”.

In addition to the opening of the new First Class Lounge, today also represents a key day for many businesses throughout Sheffield and the surrounding region. A party of almost 50 senior representatives from businesses such as the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, Sheffield Forgemasters, Davy Markham, Lloyds Banking Group and Nabarro LLP joined the 07.27 train from Sheffield – the popular Master Cutler service – for a trip to London, with none other than the Master Cutler himself riding on the footplate with the driver!

The group were using the opportunity to travel to London for the launch of the Global Manufacturing Festival. In March, Sheffield will host the Global Manufacturing Festival, reaffirming the UK’s position as a global leader in advanced engineering and manufacturing innovation.

David Horne continued: “We’re extremely pleased that today’s launch ties in so well with the launch of the Global Manufacturing Festival, a key event in the region’s calendar and it’s great news that the Master Cutler also had the opportunity to take his annual footplate ride!”

The Master Cutler, Professor Bill Speirs, added: “When the Global Manufacturing Festival gets underway in Sheffield it will highlight the fact that no other region in the country has such talent and expertise at its disposal.

“I extend my thanks to all those business people who have taken time out of their busy schedules to act as our ambassadors today.

“Transport is essential to growth. It has been a pleasure to open the new First Class Lounge which is a great initiative as it will allow businessmen to continue to work whilst travelling and reduce the stress involved. I would like to thank East Midlands Trains, for this initiative, for allowing me, the Master Cutler, to ride on the footplate of the Master Cutler service, for their support and for our wonderful send off.”

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