Virgin First Class Lounge

I wouldn’t recommend paying extra on a train ticket just to use this lounge… but for a couple extra pounds, one might have purchased a latte from a coffee shop anyways whereas here it is included for free. Along with loads of other tasty treats and drinks.
This is a small private area with seating for about up to 30, and there is also free wifi and one disabled toilet.
When you arrive, just show your ticket and enjoy some peace and quiet. I find arriving earlier than my departure just to hang out for a bit and collect my thoughts with a cappuccino and biscuit is very relaxing.

A quite nice little place in the station. It’s quiet, there are comfy armchairs, chairs, tables, complimentary wifi, a coffee machine, tea, juices, fizzy drinks, fruit and biscuits.
Sounds good to me but it’s actually very little compare to the first class lounge in Euston. Hopefully when New Street will be finished, the first class lounge will also be upgraded

I don’t get to travel first class very often, but when buying tickets in advance it can be a matter of a just a few pounds more (or sometimes even less than a standard ticket) to upgrade your journey. Now, on some train operators it might not actually make much difference (except maybe getting a little more leg room and a head cover thing on your seat) but with Virgin it’s worth the extra few pounds.
The First Class Lounge in Birmingham New Street is a nice added bonus. It’s located just through the ticket barriers on the right hand side (as you walk down from Station Street) and you have to show your valid ticket to get in.
It’s not very glamorous really, but it is a clean space to relax in before you catch your train. It offers free coffee/​hot drinks, a selection of cold drinks and biscuits and fruit as well as free WiFi.
If you’ve got a long journey ahead, it’s worth popping in just to use their clean loo’s and grab a coffee before you go. I tend to give myself ten minutes before my train to do just this (as well as grab some drinks from the fridge for the journey itself).
It has a number of comfy seats and is never too busy, so it’s a nice way to escape the madness of New Street Station and get you in the frame of mind for a relaxing journey. If the difference is a few pounds between standard and first class, I would always recommend upgrading. It also means more space on the train, complimentary food and drinks and a slightly nicer travel experience for a long journey.