Avanti West Coast has unveiled its new-look, refurbished Pendolino trains, which run along the main line between Manchester and London.
One of the major changes included in the upgrade is the removal of some first class carriages to make room for more standard class seating.
In more good news for commuters, every seat on the upgraded trains will now come with a power point – previously, only those on table seats could access charging points.
The first of 35 ‘as new’ trains is back in service after its makeover, which is part of a £117m upgrade programme.
Avanti West Coast is removing one First Class carriage from each of its Pendolinos, and upgrading the rest. Credit: Avanti
The Pendolinos are some of the most recognisable trains in the UK, thanks to their tilting systems and their electric power.
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They’ve now been given a facelift, which includes more comfortable seats, a revamped shop, and better on-board customer information.
One first class carriage in each of the Pendolinos will be converted to provide a total of 2,000 more standard class seats.
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Water points on board
Clearer customer information
The new shop
New features on Pendolinos. Credit: Avanti
Avanti West Coast has also added additional luggage space, power points at every seat, new carpets and new loos.
Passengers on board yesterday’s 5.05am service from Manchester Piccadilly to London were the first to travel on the upgraded trains.
Rail minister Wendy Morton said: “The iconic Pendolino is back and better than ever before. This refurbished version of the classic fleet is a fantastic example of our cutting-edge rail network and how our railways are leading the way in creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly and modern transport system.”
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The toilets have all had an upgrade too. Credit: Avanti
Managing director of Avanti West Coast, Phil Whittingham, said: “This investment has been one of the key promises to our customers and they will see a dramatic transformation of our well-loved fleet.
“The refurbished Pendolinos look and feel like new trains with state of the art technology as well as brand new seats that promise best-in-class comfort.”
The remaining 55 trains are to receive the same treatment as part of the £117m programme with the second set due back in service early next month. Rail manufacturer Alstom is undertaking the work at their new depot in Widnes in the North West, helping to secure 100 skilled jobs.
Peter Broadley, managing director services at Alstom said: “We are delighted with the launch of the newly modernised Pendolino. Working closely with our partners at Avanti West Coast and Angel Trains, we have created something truly special for the customers travelling on the West Coast Mainline.
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“Our team at Widnes have created something amazing and we are incredibly proud of the final product. We hope it secures the future of the Pendolinos on the West Coast for many years to come.”
The upgrade programme will run until 2024 when the last of the 56 strong fleet is expected to leave Widnes.
Featured image: Avanti
Manchester
The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
There are plans to build new townhouses right in the heart of Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Plans for a block of new townhouses in Manchester city centre have been revealed, transforming an underused plot of land in town.
If the plans go ahead, we could see 21 new townhouses, with private roof terraces and basement parking, built in one of the city’s most rapidly-developing districts.
PH Property Holdings Ltd are proposing to build the new high-quality three-bedroom homes around a treelined courtyard.
While developments in Manchester tend to shoot straight up in the air, building sky-high apartments in modern skyscrapers, this one is approaching things a little differently.
The plans are to add ‘premium, low-rise family homes’ to this part of town, bringing it back into residential use as it was from the late 18th until the mid-20th century.
The homes that previously stood here were demolished after the Second World War, later becoming car parking for Granada Studios, and then an enclosed garden with Breeze Studios within it, which remained in use until the studio’s closure in 2013.
While these days it looks to be a patch of rare green space in the city centre, the proposed site isn’t actually accessible to the public currently.
It stands between the revamped Grape Street (which leads to the St John’s district and Aviva Studios), the new Soho House and Mollie’s Motel building, the former Great John Street Hotel, and St John’s Gardens, and is just a stone’s throw from the Science and Industry Museum.
Where the new townhouses could be built in Manchester. Credit: PH Property Holdings Ltd
The proposals say: “High-quality architecture and sensitive landscaping will ensure the development fits well with the surrounding neighbourhood while enhancing the public realm and creating an attractive, welcoming environment.
“The overall ambition is to create a sustainable residential community that contributes positively to the area’s character.
“The proposal will help diversify Manchester’s city-centre housing offer through the introduction of premium family townhouses in a location that has historically served a residential purpose. By reinstating the site’s former use, the development will help meet the city’s housing targets, strengthen the area’s sense of place, and support a more balanced housing mix in the city centre.”
You can have your say on the proposals HERE, until 1 February.
There will also be a public drop-in session on Tuesday 27 January 2026 at Castlefield Hotel (Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4JR) from 4pm to 7pm.
Daisy Jackson -
26th April 2022 
