I do wonder why lounges haven't followed the trend in many other markets that themselves have become fragmented and increasingly niche?

Why do people use lounges? As I see it, it comes down to a few common denominators; (please add if I've missed some) 1) a quiet place to wait for the flight, 2) a place to get something to eat and drink as a perceived benefit of the class booked or the status one has, 3) a place that is 'known' and 'familiar' to wait for the time to pass between flights (just like some people choose the same airline so they know what to expect), 4) a place to do some business between flights.

We seem to have 'a' lounge in some places, whereas in others, we get a few choices based on 'status or class of travel'. While I'm not suggesting removing the class structure of various lounges, I'd certainly welcome a segregation based on purpose for the lounge one is entitled to use...i.e. A common area where families on the same ticket could enjoy the food and drink, kids corners, and some familiar surroundings for those that want some normalcy in the chaos of travel. A quiet zone that is enforced and no children would be allowed in, a 'work' zone where those wanting to shout into their mobiles or face time and type or print can do so (potentially with segregated booths to minimise the noise between users again without children. (or some variant of this concept)...Then those with friends or family looking to get a drink or two and have a chat can do so in a common area, those that want to work can also do so, with some privacy and those that simply want quiet would also be able to find that sanctuary. One could have zoned off rooms to differentiate and staffed to ensure the zones are enforced. Of course, they could simply keep the current conditions for occupancy (too many and you can't come in)...but then it would allow those families that want to get into a lounge the ability to do so, but also allow those of us that want a bit of peace and quiet and yes maybe a quick drink somewhere to go as well...invariably someone will want to work (god forbid)...so giving them a space as well separate to the common area.

Lounges could increase in size somewhat to accommodate this but maybe a simple reorganisation would allow it already in GC at LHR South for example.

I'm certain I'm missing something (or many things) about who uses them and why, but as someone that uses them for quiet and indeed a bit of food and drink opportunities between flights, I'd not want to see the lounges become that which I am trying to escape in the main departures area (noise, kids running around, adults misbehaving, crowds, etc...which I can see happening quite a bit during some periods of the year with family holidays (when indeed some people have to travel for work or even travel for pleasure to ski or find some sun but don't want the departures area in the lounge...)

Might not be always true (that families and kids are equal to noise, overcrowding and face timing, bad behaviour, as we all know that many adults do it too, however I do see increasing amounts of people feeling the need to face time Grandma at full chat while in the lounge to show them that little Suzy is indeed okay and just fed at 0700, or someone's kids running around trying to burn off some energy and boredom when I've not had my first cup of coffee yet and simply trying to avoid humanity!

Anyway, point being, flying has evolved since it started and increased dramatically in popularity, why lounges haven't when plane types, cabin types and holiday types have is a mystery to me...maybe theme lounges (quiet, family, business, whatever...) or some other segmentation is needed going forward to allow the increasing demand from status pax wanting to bring in family when they travel in lower classes of cabin?

Safe travels, hope this is not the usual whinge, rather a different perspective and hopefully a way to assist the OP but also appease some of the rest of us at the same time as well...