Shop rents at railway stations

[strange6]

Does anybody have a clue how much it costs in rent or other charges for food / coffee shops in main railway stations?
There's a little hot dog kiosk at Manchester Victoria which I sometimes buy from and I'm always tempted to ask about his costings but I never have the gall to do so. I hardly ever see anybody there when i pass so how he makes his living, I just don't know. Manchester Picadilly has loads of such shops (bet their rents are much higher) so the competition must be fierce! Having said that, always plenty of people knocking about up that way so if you're quality is good and prices reasonable,I can see that being a worthwhile little business.
Victoria, forget it!

 

[yorksrob]

I'm not sure, the Pumpkin at Vic seems to be quite busy a lot of the time. Perhaps Hot Dog's aren't quite the right product for the place (except maybe for weekend revellers!).

I think there's a market there. Someone could certainly make more of the Metro Bar IMO.

 

[deltic]

Rents at Network Rail stations consist of two parts - a fixed fee element and an element that is linked to turnover. Network Rail aim to get higher end high street retailers eg M&S food and Sainsbury which generally have higher turnover per sq ft than most of their high street stores.

I assume rents on TOC leased station operate in the same way.

 

[Yew]

Surely a hot dog van is just screaming out for bacon sarnies in the morning?

Fluffy cob, 2 rashers of bacon, £1-1.50 a time, everyone would eb queueing for you.

 

[gedj2]

not sure about bacon, but sausage or egg with brown sauce, hmmm

 

[strange6]

Surely a hot dog van is just screaming out for bacon sarnies in the morning?

Fluffy cob, 2 rashers of bacon, £1-1.50 a time, everyone would eb queueing for you.

I agree but it only sells hot dogs and cold drinks

 

[gedj2]

Hmm, he's missing a trick there then, maybe he needs to increase his product range, but saying that he must be making money otherwise he wouldn't do it.

 

[strange6]

Hmm, he's missing a trick there then, maybe he needs to increase his product range, but saying that he must be making money otherwise he wouldn't do it.

You want to see the size of the thing. Just enough room for him and a tall fridge. It's nothing more than a shed!

 

[Ivo]

Have ye got a picture at all?

 

[Statto]

I've always wondered about this as WH Smiths are quite expensive when it comes to buying Drinks ecc, Boots is a lot cheaper & have stores at most main line stations.

 

[strange6]

I've always wondered about this as WH Smiths are quite expensive when it comes to buying Drinks ecc, Boots is a lot cheaper & have stores at most main line stations.

WH Smith is a rip off at Stations!

 

[Greenback]

I find them a rip off everywhere!

 

[Darandio]

I find them a rip off everywhere!

I agree!

It's even funnier when you go in for a paper and they have various bits of confectionary around the till. When you go to pay, they ask you if you want one of the "special offers". 9 times out of 10, these "specials" are already cheaper elsewhere at normal prices!

But they still regard themselves as upmarket you know............

 

[strange6]

I agree!

It's even funnier when you go in for a paper and they have various bits of confectionary around the till. When you go to pay, they ask you if you want one of the "special offers". 9 times out of 10, these "specials" are already cheaper elsewhere at normal prices!

But they still regard themselves as upmarket you know............

At Manchester Victoria this week, they're offering a free bottle of water if you buy the times or telegraph I think? Great value for your commuter journey is that, don't you think?

 

[Darandio]

I think so yes.

But is it Smiths only, or Telegraph supported? I presume the latter got a job lot of water.

 

[route101]

Whs smiths are only really good for mags n papers!
Anyone noticed the M&Ss in the stations have east european employees ? Best example is the Edinburgh Waverley branch . Must be a SSP thing.

 

[WestCoast]

At Manchester Victoria this week, they're offering a free bottle of water if you buy the times or telegraph I think? Great value for your commuter journey is that, don't you think?

I wouldn't rush down to the store just yet, that offer has been on every few weeks/months for years now! I really do hate the way WHSmith pester you with chocolate at the till, I can't think of one other station or even high street retailer that does this! I find their rail station (and airport/motorway service station) stores vastly overpriced as well, Boots and even M&S at rail stations are almost always cheaper...

Whs smiths are only really good for mags n papers!
Anyone noticed the M&Ss in the stations have east european employees ? Best example is the Edinburgh Waverley branch . Must be a SSP thing.

I have noticed that the M&S staff in franchised SSP branches are not nearly as helpful or polite as in their own stores. If I was M&S I'd be a little careful about this, as most people don't know that it isn't M&S that operate the store and may come away with a bad impression!

 

[strange6]

That WH Smith water offer is probably 'corporation pop' in used bottles

 

[WestCoast]

That WH Smith water offer is probably 'corporation pop' in used bottles

I remember the offer about 10 years ago, it's actually Buxton water or something along those lines. I doubt they even pay for it. I avoid smiths at stations anyway, prefer the others.

 

[SS4]

I avoid stations full stop and go to the tesco express above the entrance to new st. Station food is a rip off