In message

, at 17:06:51 on Fri, 28 Dec 2012, Recliner
remarked:
But there aren't any "retail opportunities" in the underground labyrinth
connecting the tube tunnels to the barriers.

But there's a vast number connecting the Thameslink platforms and for
that matter the Midland Main Line platforms with the tube system, whether
you choose to go the length of the old St.Pancras station or across in
the King's Cross direction and then down.

True, but the original complaint had been about the longer routes from the
Picc and Vic platforms to the exits, and those have no shops. As for the
new TL platforms, they actually are quite a long way from the tube
platforms, shops or no shops.

The southern end of the TL platforms are actually very close to the
western end of the Northern Line platforms. And it's only a short
escalator from the eastern end of the Northern Line platforms to the
Piccadilly Line.

And 50% of the human race (ie, women) do actually like shops and
shopping...

Although I'm told that in the Winter the St Pancras shed is so cold that
you wouldn't actually want to linger in it.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at 17:06:51 on Fri, 28 Dec 2012, Recliner remarked:
But there aren't any "retail opportunities" in the underground labyrinth
connecting the tube tunnels to the barriers.

But there's a vast number connecting the Thameslink platforms and for
that matter the Midland Main Line platforms with the tube system, whether
you choose to go the length of the old St.Pancras station or across in
the King's Cross direction and then down.

True, but the original complaint had been about the longer routes from the
Picc and Vic platforms to the exits, and those have no shops. As for the
new TL platforms, they actually are quite a long way from the tube
platforms, shops or no shops.

The southern end of the TL platforms are actually very close to the
western end of the Northern Line platforms. And it's only a short
escalator from the eastern end of the Northern Line platforms to the Piccadilly Line.

And 50% of the human race (ie, women) do actually like shops and shopping...

Although I'm told that in the Winter the St Pancras shed is so cold that
you wouldn't actually want to linger in it.

True on the higher level (a gale blows right through the shed), not so bad
at ground level.

On 28/12/2012 23:06, Recliner wrote:
True, but the original complaint had been about the longer routes from the
Picc and Vic platforms to the exits, and those have no shops.

That bit I really didn't understand, as the original routes from Picc
and Vic platforms to the original tube ticket hall still exist, and I
use them frequently.
As others have pointed out in this thread, you can still use the
original routes to reach King's Cross, and of course St.Pancras.

new TL platforms, they actually are quite a long way from the tube
platforms, shops or no shops. And 50% of the human race (ie, women) do
actually like shops and shopping...

I think you generalise far too much. I know lots of women who do not
like shopping in the over-priced stalls around a railway station, and
especially if they use the station frequently, wouldn't dream of using
any of them more than once in very many visits.

--
Clive Page

In message , at 21:43:14 on Sat, 29
Dec 2012, Clive Page remarked:
True, but the original complaint had been about the longer routes from the
Picc and Vic platforms to the exits, and those have no shops.

That bit I really didn't understand, as the original routes from Picc
and Vic platforms to the original tube ticket hall still exist, and I
use them frequently.

Yes, but you have to know they are there. And no longer do they pass
near to WH Smith, the Whistlestop and the Pub on Platform 8.

As others have pointed out in this thread, you can still use the
original routes to reach King's Cross, and of course St.Pancras.

The St Pancras tunnel is long gone, and if it existed would no longer
exit by the trains on the Midland Mainline (which are now situated
halfway to Kentish Town.

new TL platforms, they actually are quite a long way from the tube
platforms, shops or no shops. And 50% of the human race (ie, women) do
actually like shops and shopping...

I think you generalise far too much. I know lots of women who do not
like shopping in the over-priced stalls around a railway station, and
especially if they use the station frequently, wouldn't dream of using
any of them more than once in very many visits.

Agreed, most of the shops seem to be for tourists, rather than hard
pressed regulars.
--
Roland Perry

Clive Page wrote:

As others have pointed out in this thread, you can still use the
original routes to reach King's Cross, and of course St.Pancras.


Can you? I can't even find them or any signs pointing to them, never
mind actually using them. (In fact, I'm pretty sure the old passages
to St Pancras, and the old escalator into the heart of the old Kings
Cross concourse are all long gone.)

On 30/12/2012 09:47, solar penguin wrote:
Can you? I can't even find them or any signs pointing to them, never
mind actually using them. (In fact, I'm pretty sure the old passages
to St Pancras, and the old escalator into the heart of the old Kings
Cross concourse are all long gone.)

Ah yes, those are, unfortunately. What I meant by "original" was the
routes that you could use say 5 years ago, via the Western Ticket Hall
before the recent upgrades (or downgrades) to the KX-St.Pancras complex.

In message , at 21:47:20 on Sun, 30
Dec 2012, Clive Page remarked:
What I meant by "original" was the routes that you could use say 5
years ago, via the Western Ticket Hall before the recent upgrades (or
downgrades) to the KX-St.Pancras complex.

But the Western Ticket Hall is part of that [up|down]grade.
--
Roland Perry

Clive Page wrote:
On 30/12/2012 09:47, solar penguin wrote:
Can you? I can't even find them or any signs pointing to them, never
mind actually using them. (In fact, I'm pretty sure the old passages
to St Pancras, and the old escalator into the heart of the old Kings
Cross concourse are all long gone.)

Ah yes, those are, unfortunately. What I meant by "original" was the
routes that you could use say 5 years ago, via the Western Ticket Hall
before the recent upgrades (or downgrades) to the KX-St.Pancras complex.

Is the Western Ticket Hall the one near the SSL platforms? If so, I
prefer to avoid that whenever possible. The long walk is preferable
than trying to fight my way with a bulky suitcase through confused
French crowds fresh off the Eurostar, who all seem to end up there
looking lost and/or forming long queues right across the hall to buy
single cash fares at the ticket office.

In message
, at
16:26:41 on Sun, 30 Dec 2012, solar penguin
remarked:
Can you? I can't even find them or any signs pointing to them, never
mind actually using them. (In fact, I'm pretty sure the old passages
to St Pancras, and the old escalator into the heart of the old Kings
Cross concourse are all long gone.)

Ah yes, those are, unfortunately. What I meant by "original" was the
routes that you could use say 5 years ago, via the Western Ticket Hall
before the recent upgrades (or downgrades) to the KX-St.Pancras complex.

Is the Western Ticket Hall the one near the SSL platforms?

Took me a while to decode SSL. I'd call them the Circle/Met platforms.

If so, I prefer to avoid that whenever possible. The long walk is
preferable than trying to fight my way with a bulky suitcase through

Are you off the Eurostar too, or from the Midland Main Line.

One way to avoid the worst of that crowd (but admittedly not all of it)
is to take a diversion through the Eurostar departure area, but that
isn't stepless down to the eastern end of the western ticket hall.

confused French crowds fresh off the Eurostar, who all seem to end up
there looking lost and/or forming long queues right across the hall to
buy single cash fares at the ticket office.

I agree that the queuing there is a disgrace, and has been from almost
the day it opened.
--
Roland Perry

On 31/12/2012 00:26, solar penguin wrote:
Is the Western Ticket Hall the one near the SSL platforms? If so, I
prefer to avoid that whenever possible. The long walk is preferable
than trying to fight my way with a bulky suitcase through confused
French crowds fresh off the Eurostar, who all seem to end up there
looking lost and/or forming long queues right across the hall to buy
single cash fares at the ticket office.

I somewhat agree. It seems to me that the new St.Pancras concourse has
the highest concentration of wheely-bags in Europe, all of them towed at
exactly the right distance to trip up any passing commuter.

--
Clive Page