Gatwick clubhouse

Hi

Am in the clubhouse and have been chatting (as usual) to the staff and they were told yesterday that the CH will close in September for 3 months for refurbishment. We will be able to use the V room and an american lounge she wasn't sure which one. Also the cost of the project is being met mainly by BAA as it is by their request that it is happening. She said the plans were fantastic for the new CH.[:D]

Well as Feb has come and gone and it is still open let's see what happens in September........[:w]

Enjoy the snow.....I am off to the sunshine state[8D][}:)]

[Nottingham Nick]

Have a great trip.
Thanks for the info. [y][y]

Nick

[Darren Wheeler]

I'm surprised that BAA are spending any money above what they need to. Given that LGW has to be sold off, why bother and let the new owners pay.

Enjoy the Sun!! [:D]

Thanks for the heads up on this.

I will be very suprised if use of the VRoom is allowed as it is a Virgin Holidays only product.

Enjoy the sunshine......not that I am jealous [;)]

[buns]

If it does close, and the V Room is not available, then perhaps we could open a V-Flyer Room[:w][:w][:w][:w][:w]


buns

Oh that is just typical. I just booked my UC honeymoon flights to St Lucia a couple weeks back and we fly out in September!

What a treat indeed if we have to use the V-Room instead! [:?]

How selfish am I? Am just relieved to know it will still be open in April...[:#]

As we are looking for flights in November/early december, I requested clarification from VA as to what is happening, i.e. is there a scheduled closure of the Clubhouse at that time, if so, what arrangements would be put into place for passengers etc, as things like this do effect your choice of carrier as BA are very close on price and US Airways from LHR are cheaper!
The response I got was as follows:

'Thank you for your email.

I would like to inform that currently Gatwick clubhouse is operational. Any details about it being closed due to any reasons and alternative options for passengers will surely be updated on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future.

Kind Regards'

Whaat? did I ask about now? no.
I am expected to buy expensive seats and then later be told what is going on, even though it does seem to be known by people within Virgin now, plus any scheduled maintenance is not planned a week before is it? IF they have made this decision to close for three months, they should have an alternative available.

I have written back asking for clarification on my questions regarding November. I have yet to receive a relpy.

This may not be a big issue for those of you who live in Upper Class and fly many times a year with them, but to us who fly 'special' once a year, its a major factor and issue in our choice of carriers.

Bugger! hope it doesnt close then, we're flying in early October and the Lounge is v.important to me ...... I may well cry and tantrum if its not open

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
As we are looking for flights in November/early december, I requested clarification from VA as to what is happening, i.e. is there a scheduled closure of the Clubhouse at that time, if so, what arrangements would be put into place for passengers etc, as things like this do effect your choice of carrier as BA are very close on price and US Airways from LHR are cheaper!
The response I got was as follows:

'Thank you for your email.

I would like to inform that currently Gatwick clubhouse is operational. Any details about it being closed due to any reasons and alternative options for passengers will surely be updated on our website.

We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future.

Kind Regards'

Whaat? did I ask about now? no.
I am expected to buy expensive seats and then later be told what is going on, even though it does seem to be known by people within Virgin now, plus any scheduled maintenance is not planned a week before is it? IF they have made this decision to close for three months, they should have an alternative available.

I have written back asking for clarification on my questions regarding November. I have yet to receive a relpy.

This may not be a big issue for those of you who live in Upper Class and fly many times a year with them, but to us who fly 'special' once a year, its a major factor and issue in our choice of carriers.


To be fair to VS, if it is work BAA want/need to do, it is entirely out of their hands. The work could be delayed starting, finish early and with the sale of LGW, who knows what may happen.

Given that there is the US Airways and Continental lounges at LGW I'm sure they'll come up with a suitable alternative. After all, where are all the staff going to go?

[buns]

I agree, the last time I was at the Gatwick Clubhouse, it was BAA who were undertaking major refurbishment of the corridor on the upper floor, so i would not be surprised if the timing is their call.

As many of us will recall, the refurbishment of the Heathrow Clubhouse took place around the daily influx of passengers; I am sure a similar plan will be used at Gatwick.

buns

[HighFlyer]

At the risk of being flamed, if passengers will be able to use the V.Room, as Sunshine suggests, I dont see this being a major issue. The V.Room is a mini Clubhouse, and while it may not be THE Clubhouse, its surely better than many of the other airline lounges? If VS were clever enough to give all VS passengers vouchers for free drinks then it wouldnt seem too bad to me.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Darren Wheeler]

That would work well. Just show either your UC boarding card or AU card with passport with no time limit. OK, no treatments unless another room was converted and used.

The options are almost endless.

Well I opened a can of worms!!!! The person I spoke to had seen the plans and had it in writing that it was definitely going ahead....let's not panic and as always just wait and see[:w]

Anyway I got out just in time before the snow and I am enjoying the sunny delights of Florida so the CH is the last thing on my mind[}:)][8D]

[HighFlyer]

quote:Originally posted by Sunshine
I am enjoying the sunny delights of Florida ...


Bring some of that warm weather home will you? [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

Hi Sunshine[:p][:p][:p]
[B)] Ow, I felt that!
R-P

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
At the risk of being flamed, if passengers will be able to use the V.Room, as Sunshine suggests, I dont see this being a major issue. The V.Room is a mini Clubhouse, and while it may not be THE Clubhouse, its surely better than many of the other airline lounges? If VS were clever enough to give all VS passengers vouchers for free drinks then it wouldnt seem too bad to me.


I'm a fan of V-Room, and though it has no treatment facility the time we used it it was an oasis of calm serving decent coffee and sausage sarnies. With vouchers for a snifter or two it would go some way to meeting the 'no Clubhouse' blues.

However, looking at it from another angle the allocation of entry would have to be managed carefully to ensure that VH customers weren't suddenly second class citizens in a facility that is being specifically targetted to that market.

Paul

[Darren Wheeler]

Imaging the rumpus that would result if Winner was in there and started bleating on?

That potentially is a nuisance. We fly out to MCO, UC, on 26 November (rarely using LGW) so if it is closed missing out on the treatments, cooked breakfast and exclusivity of the room will be very disappointing.

The VH website now has a note on there saying that the Clubhouse is due to close from 1 September through end of November. However, it doesn't give any details of alternative arrangements.

Jilly

I have sent off a unhappy email to customer services at VA asking why are VH customers informed before VA customers and what is going to be the alternative and what services will be available.

I will report back if they bother to reply.

They have our money so I suppose they don't really give a stuff.

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
I have sent off a unhappy email to customer services at VA asking why are VH customers informed before VA customers and what is going to be the alternative and what services will be available.

I will report back if they bother to reply.

They have our money so I suppose they don't really give a stuff.


Alan

I think that is being a little harsh.

The Clubhouse at Gatwick has been in use for over 11 years, and even ardent fans like myself can see that it would benefit from a refresh. From what I understand a total refurbishment is on the cards, hence the reason to close rather than do a make over whilst passengers are there. To me this shows great consideration to passengers.

Knowing the commitment of the people that work there, I cannot imagine that they will be doing their utmost to ensure continuity of service as far as is possible.

buns

quote:Originally posted by buns
quote:Originally posted by AlanA
I have sent off a unhappy email to customer services at VA asking why are VH customers informed before VA customers and what is going to be the alternative and what services will be available.

I will report back if they bother to reply.

They have our money so I suppose they don't really give a stuff.


Alan

I think that is being a little harsh.

The Clubhouse at Gatwick has been in use for over 11 years, and even ardent fans like myself can see that it would benefit from a refresh. From what I understand a total refurbishment is on the cards, hence the reason to close rather than do a make over whilst passengers are there. To me this shows great consideration to passengers.

Knowing the commitment of the people that work there, I cannot imagine that they will be doing their utmost to ensure continuity of service as far as is possible.

buns


Buns,

I 100% agree with you - I too am a big fan og the LGW Clubhouse and it is now in need of a re-furb. I just hope they leave the present clubhouse staff alone - many other Clubhouses (and I include the LHR one here) could learn ALOT from the excellent, friendly and professionalism from LGW based ones; it is always a delight for me to use this Clubhouse and I am never left ignored like I all too frequently seem to be elsewhere [:w]

Hackneyguy