I've found that Virgin's BNE-GLT or BNE-ROK with 738 or E90 will have Rows 1 & 2 (or 1-3 in the 738's) available for Plat & Gold to allocate themselves to at check-in, but generally not before.
As for the ATR72, I generally go for Row 1 or 2 personally as I prefer being up the front, but will try the back end next time I go regional...I'd thought it would be noisier at the back. (happy to be proven wrong)