The lounge - and the entire top floor - were definitely shut when I was there in late November, even though the hotel was selling rooms with lounge access! I assume they were fobbing people off with free breakfast and a few drinks vouchers.

Someone commented on HFP in the last couple of days that the lounge was now open so it seems they have managed to pull it forward a couple of weeks.

Note my overall conclusion - if you don't have lounge access, you get better value booking a room at the HIX to save £35 and eating and drinking in the CP facilities (can be cross charged).