Northern Belle Reviews 

I write in relation to the Northern Belle Company and the aborted Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Train Experience March 2023. In short, Northern Belle promised to deliver a race day experience costing £695pp, which was not fulfilled. A major selling point of the experience focuses on a six course fine dining experience on the return journey. Within ten minutes of the commencement of the return journey customers were informed this was not going to occur, and they would have to alight at Reading and make their own way back to London using another train operator. There was nothing wrong with the train. There was nothing wrong with the train lines. National rail was blamed. In retrospect there was indication that the event was not going to go ahead as sold/planned. (1) Due to other trains taking priority, the journey going was delayed reducing the race day experience, (2) the table layout was set four courses light and (2) the "memorable gift on departure” was left on the table. I do question whether the company knew well in advance that the event was doomed from the start, but of course refunding a customer in full prior to the event would not have suited. By way of compensation Northern Belle offered £50pp plus 20% reduction on a future booking. In quantifying the day, £50 compensation is not acceptable. After several communications with the company, allowing the Directors six weeks to consider the true circumstances and their responsibilities to their customers, I have received no response. I therefore deduce that it would only be fair for me to share this knowledge with others who potentially may consider booking with this company. Please steer clear.