On Dec 20, 7:20 am, Roland Perry wrote:

I got reports yesterday evening, from someone waiting about an hour for
a train at St Pancras, that the whole place was freezing cold. When the
larger bistros are open perhaps there will be somewhere warm to hang
out, but at the moment (and "hello!" the station was always planned to
be opening in November) it has a very "outdoors" feel to it. And this
for somewhere they want to make into a meeting place...
--
Ah SPI - the Latin quarter of Watford Gap Services.
Meanwhile just outside the locals are also unhappy


http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/co...A19%3A39%3A173
quote
Eurostar bubble bursts for sad traders

DEFLATED traders hoping to cash in on the arrival of Eurostar in
Camden have branded the expected King's Cross business boom as "hype".

Four weeks after St Pancras International opened in a blaze of
publicity, independent businesses widely predicted to benefit from
having the world's first "destination station" on their doorstep say
they have seen little or no rise in profits.

More than 50 million people a year are predicted to flood into the
borough through the new £800million Eurostar terminal, but so far
local traders are feeling a distinct lack of Christmas cheer.

Samir Bayoudhi, 43, of Mirmar Takeaway, in Euston Road, said:
"Everybody was expecting it to get busier but the way they designed it
was to keep everybody in the station. If I've got my luggage the last
thing I'm going to do is come out of the station and cross the road.

"I've been in the area since 1985 and it has got much better - but
people who have businesses here thought they were going to make a
fortune."

Rajesh Thakor, manager of the neighbouring Post Office and newsagents,
said: "It's picked up a bit but its all hype. They said the whole area
was going to be buzzing but if you looked at it carefully you knew it
wouldn't be - they've designed the station so people won't come out.
It's nothing different."

And Anthony Ooi, of Chop Chop noodle bar, also on Euston Road, said:
"It's maybe 10 per cent better, it's OK, but it is Christmas and we
usually get busier anyway. I'm not sure it has affected the business
much - I'll be able to tell better after Christmas. February will be
the real test."

Last week domestic services to scores of destinations including Luton
and Gatwick airports switched to St Pancras from King's Cross
Thameslink, in Pentonville Road. Passing trade from hundreds of
commuters who previously had to walk between the two stations has
disappeared, with the old station now only operating as a subway to
the Tube.

Mr Bayoudhi said: "Now they've opened the Thameslink there as well, no
one's walking past. Look outside - the street is empty, everyone is
underground."

My Bayoudhi believes the only way that independent businesses in
King's Cross will see an upturn in trade is if hotels in the area fill
up with tourists.

Receptionist Filomena Dipopolo, of The Belgrove Hotel, in Belgrove
Square, said: "We're having a lot more French people. It has got
busier. It's normally quiet at this time of year so we're doing pretty
well."

But a worker at The Northumberland Hotel, in Euston Road, revealed
that it was set to close down all together next March. The hotel
management were unavailable to comment.
unquote