How long before departure do the outermost Eurostar gates at St. Pancras close in practice, for Standard class ticketholders?

Question

I was denied entry 28 minutes before departure; my friend claimed that there's no issue at least up to 16 minutes before departure, no matter what the website says. Today he travelled and sent me this photo, which is even stronger than his claim because it suggests the gates are officially still open 15 minutes before departure. He says it's the screen at the normal entrance (not business area or whatever); and yet I remember that close to 30 minutes before departure, the word Open on the screens turned into Closing Soon which then became Closed. I think he's gaslighting me!

Answer 1

The official website on this is quite clear:

So it's 30 minutes for economy and 15 for business. Actual enforcement may vary by the mood of the staff. It feels like a crappy move to deny boarding for being 1 minute late with the wrong ticket type, but it appears to be within their right to do so.

I think he's gaslighting me!

Maybe, maybe not. There are two different closing times and it's not clear which one the sign uses. If in doubt: never attribute to malice which may equally be attributed to stupidity.

Source: https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/travel-info/your-trip/check-in