Nantwich woman earns top job with luxury train company

A Nantwich woman has her career on the right tracks after being appointed travel centre manager for one of the world’s most luxurious trains.

Beth Cooper, who studied travel and tourism at South Cheshire College in Crewe, takes over the hot seat at Northern Belle this month.

And that means helping to arrange trips on a train described by actor Bill Nighy as “the Grand Duchess of luxury rail travel”.

Beth, 25, joined Northern Belle’s Nantwich head office on Hospital Street three years ago but also spends time at Carnforth in Lancashire where the train is based.

She said: “It’s a dream job.

“One of the perks is I get to travel on trips around the country on a beautiful train meeting our passengers.

“Many of them are celebrating a special occasion like a birthday, retirement or a wedding anniversary and it’s lovely chatting to them.

“Lots are loyal guests who keep returning to take trips on the Northern Belle so it’s important we build a good rapport to make them feel valued.

“Of course, the last 18 months has been a very challenging time for us because of Covid, but bookings have soared since the lockdown ended.

“And we have some wonderful trips arranged around Britain this year with several from Crewe – including a couple of steam-hauled trips over the Settle-Carlisle line which have been highly acclaimed by Bill Nighy.

“He told Channel 5 viewers earlier this year that a televised Northern Belle journey with steam engine Princess Elizabeth had been ‘the trip of a lifetime’.”

Yorkshire businessman David Pitts, who bought the Northern Belle’s distinctive 1930s-style Pullman carriages from the iconic Orient Express group, paid tribute to Beth this week.

Mr Pitts said: “She is dedicated to the company and like many other members of our team often diligently works very long hours to keep our trains running.

“I believe Beth is well placed to help us take the business forward and we will be looking to further strengthen our Nantwich team as things return to normal after the Covid pandemic.”