Virgin’s fast train service boosts Chester economy

The fast and frequent Virgin Trains direct train service between London, Milton Keynes and Chester has enabled Chester to market itself at a National Conference Centre.

Stuart Hunter, Director of the Feathers hotel chain, which includes the award winning Queen Hotel, located opposite Chester railway station has said that the “high quality rail link is helping to boost the Chester and Cheshire economy and is ensuring that Chester is seen a venue for national conferences.” He added that “in a recession people want added value for their money and from the train service, to hotels to attractions, that is being delivered. Poor transport links were holding Chester back and the new service from Virgin has been the catalyst that has given a real boost to the local economy for both business and leisure activities.”

Stuart made his comments as Virgin Trains revealed that its London to Chester route was one of its fastest growing routes, with business up 38% year on year.

Virgin Trains has also helped Visit Chester and Cheshire identify and maximise the potential of the Milton Keynes area as a target market to attract visitors from. Now over 180 journeys a week are made between Milton Keynes and Chester. Before the introduction of the improved train services in January 2009 it was just 40 a week. Supported by a short break’s campaign, Visit Chester and Cheshire estimate that an extra 150,000 visitors to Chester were generated by the campaign.

Virgin Trains increased its train service on the London to Chester route in January 2009 and now operates 14 services a day, linking with London in two hours and with Milton Keynes in just 90 minutes.

Visit Chester and Cheshire has worked closely with Virgin Trains for the last four years and VCC Chief Executive Chris Brown says: “The step change in the train service has enabled the train journey to be part of the journey experience and has enabled the promotion of the historic City of Chester to a much wider catchment area.

“We have been encouraged by the ‘can do’ approach of everyone at Virgin Trains and the support that they have given us. In Chester we have all seen the impact that good transport links have on the destination.”

Throwing the weight of the tourism industry in Chester behind Virgin Trains, Chris Brown added: “With the West Coast franchise up for renewal in early 2012, we want to work with Virgin Trains as the incumbent operator to help them win the new franchise.”

Virgin Trains Chief Operating Officer Chris Gibb said “We are delighted, and surprised how quickly our relationship with Visit Chester and Cheshire has bore fruit. 38% growth in business is a fantastic result and besides bringing tourism and commerce to the City, the residents of Chester have also benefitted with a fast and frequent rail link to London. Chester is now one of the main destinations on the West Coast Main Line and with its tourism offering and a top class train service provided by a world-wide brand is pushing York and Bath aside as a must-visit destination.”

Chris Gibb also confirmed that despite the end of the franchise being less than two years away he would strive for continued improvement, with performance and reliability top of his list, closely followed by better weekend services and improved onboard facilities.