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Title: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on April 16, 2015, 12:42:21 I learnt yesterday that the Pumpkin cafe on platform 5 at Taunton is being rebranded by SSP to Starbucks by the end of April.
That means no more alcohol sales (that's how I found out as stock is being run down), and no more Bite Card discount. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: broadgage on April 16, 2015, 15:14:21 A backward step IMHO, I used to enjoy the odd drink whilst awaiting a train.
Sales of alcohol can of course lead to disorder, but this did not seem to be a problem at Taunton presumably because the outlet was not open in the late evening. Is this a "one of" ? or part of a policy ? Alcohol sales at Taunton more desirable than at many other stations because no public house is nearby. Taunton has a number of good, and not so good, pubs but none are very near the station. I used to take refreshment in the snooker club near the station, but that has closed down. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: phile on April 16, 2015, 15:18:27 Probably a case of money talking. The average passenger would, I'm sure, prefer a Pumpkin to a more expensive Starbucks.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: didcotdean on April 16, 2015, 15:42:33 Starbucks have started selling beer and wine in the evening at Stansted Airport.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: brompton rail on April 16, 2015, 16:37:16 It would seem to be part of a wider trend. A couple of years ago York's Upper Crust was converted to Starbucks. Platform 4 Pumkin (down line) at Doncaster is currently closed for conversion to Starbucks, though I'm not sure what will happen to Platform 3's (up side) Pumkin. Maybe it is to counter completion from Costa Coffee kiosks on these platforms at Doncaster, similarly at York.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: TaplowGreen on April 16, 2015, 18:02:19 It would seem to be part of a wider trend. A couple of years ago York's Upper Crust was converted to Starbucks. Platform 4 Pumkin (down line) at Doncaster is currently closed for conversion to Starbucks, though I'm not sure what will happen to Platform 3's (up side) Pumkin. Maybe it is to counter completion from Costa Coffee kiosks on these platforms at Doncaster, similarly at York. I sometimes think that coffee is taking over the World! Upper Crust always a bit of a ripoff though I thought, Subway vastly superior.....quite spoiled at Reading in that respect, M & S, Subway, Costa, Upper Crust and two excellent pubs nearby (Three Guineas and Greyfriar), as well as a decent pasty shop on the footbridge! Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Tim on April 16, 2015, 18:04:06 The Pumpkin at Bath Spa is now a Starbucks.
a bit of googling found this job ad: http://jobs.thesun.co.uk/job/6064382/full-time-team-members-starbucks-bath-station/ (http://jobs.thesun.co.uk/job/6064382/full-time-team-members-starbucks-bath-station/) from which we learn three things: 1, They pay their staff a pittance, 2, They describe the outlet as a "licenced Starbacks" - I assume that this means an alcohol licence, and 3, The outlet is run by SSP (Select Service Partners). There is no change of ownership, it looks like they have simply decided to become a franchisee of Starbucks (conceivably, that is what "licenced" means) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: ellendune on April 16, 2015, 18:26:17 2, They describe the outlet as a "licenced Starbacks" - I assume that this means an alcohol licence, and I think you will find that your second guess at the meaning of licensed is the intended one. Though I suppose the first might also be true.3, The outlet is run by SSP (Select Service Partners). There is no change of ownership, it looks like they have simply decided to become a franchisee of Starbucks (conceivably, that is what "licenced" means) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Thatcham Crossing on April 16, 2015, 23:06:09 Quote Upper Crust always a bit of a ripoff though I thought, Subway vastly superior.....quite spoiled at Reading in that respect, M & S, Subway, Costa, Upper Crust and two excellent pubs nearby (Three Guineas and Greyfriar), as well as a decent pasty shop on the footbridge! Woop woop for "The Greyfriar" which is owned by a mate of mine. Will be there for "a few" with him tomorrow evening. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: autotank on April 17, 2015, 04:05:36 I've always found The Plough Inn to be a good place for a pint nearish to Taunton Station
http://www.theploughtaunton.co.uk/map.htm Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: TaplowGreen on April 17, 2015, 08:25:51 Quote Upper Crust always a bit of a ripoff though I thought, Subway vastly superior.....quite spoiled at Reading in that respect, M & S, Subway, Costa, Upper Crust and two excellent pubs nearby (Three Guineas and Greyfriar), as well as a decent pasty shop on the footbridge! Woop woop for "The Greyfriar" which is owned by a mate of mine. Will be there for "a few" with him tomorrow evening. Give him my compliments, his pub is a gem - full of character, supports local breweries, keeps his ale superbly, great atmosphere - exactly how a pub should be - may pay a bit more for a pint but I'd take that over a JDW warehouse any day of the week. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: broadgage on April 17, 2015, 09:44:05 I've always found The Plough Inn to be a good place for a pint nearish to Taunton Station http://www.theploughtaunton.co.uk/map.htm Agree, an excellent pub, but not near enough to the station if burdened with luggage or if waiting for a delayed train and the degree of delay is unknown, in such circumstances one needs to observe the departures indicator frequently and listen to announcements. Licensed facilities in the station are then useful. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Oxonhutch on April 17, 2015, 11:34:08 An enterprising pub close to a station could do well out of a live RTT? feed and a display screen. An advert to that effect on the station might attract some extra business.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: bobm on April 17, 2015, 13:53:53 Two pubs I know close to stations have an official railway feed to display arrivals and departures - the GW opposite Swindon station and The Prince of Wales opposite Didcot Parkway.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: BerkshireBugsy on April 17, 2015, 13:57:53 After some of the heavier (but still interesting!) topics on the forum this makes a refreshing change.
Pun intended! Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on April 17, 2015, 16:41:45 Posters up at Taunton.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: broadgage on April 17, 2015, 17:42:12 "WARM drinks and snacks will be available to buy on selected trains"
I think that at present, that HOT drinks can be purchased from buffets on HSTs, is the reference to WARM drinks a subtle way of getting us ready for the trolley only IEPs ? Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: thetrout on April 17, 2015, 18:00:38 Two pubs I know close to stations have an official railway feed to display arrivals and departures - the GW opposite Swindon station and The Prince of Wales opposite Didcot Parkway. Knights Templar near Bristol Temple Meads has one also. Alcohol is available in Bath Spa Starbucks. But the coffee is depressingly overpriced. Dashi which is an independent outlet is both cheaper and nicer IMO. But for the price of Starbucks when I know I can get a comp coffee on the train 98% of the time if traveling HST. Then sorry. Train wins every time. Even if the coffee isn't as good. But Coffee in First Class has made a notable improvement over the months. Particularly with the availability of fresh milk :) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on April 17, 2015, 18:29:58 Two pubs I know close to stations have an official railway feed to display arrivals and departures - the GW opposite Swindon station and The Prince of Wales opposite Didcot Parkway. Knights Templar near Bristol Temple Meads has one also.Not any more. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: TaplowGreen on April 17, 2015, 19:00:36 Two pubs I know close to stations have an official railway feed to display arrivals and departures - the GW opposite Swindon station and The Prince of Wales opposite Didcot Parkway. Knights Templar near Bristol Temple Meads has one also.Not any more. ......might as well have another pint then? ;D Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: bobm on April 17, 2015, 20:56:54 Two pubs I know close to stations have an official railway feed to display arrivals and departures - the GW opposite Swindon station and The Prince of Wales opposite Didcot Parkway. Knights Templar near Bristol Temple Meads has one also.Not any more. ......might as well have another pint then? ;D I did! Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: trainer on April 17, 2015, 22:12:38 One less refreshment opportunity for me then. :(
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: plymothian on April 18, 2015, 09:27:53 EXD's concourse Pumpkin is also closed for conversion to Starbucks.
Any pub near a station can, if willing, display departure information; for example, the Wethersoons inside VIC has a feed, but they use the NRE live departure website (with horrendous screen burn). It just doesn't seem to cross any landlord's mind to do so. RailAleFan has developed an opensource departure board http://www.railalefan.co.uk/rail/departures/nearest/ Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: bobm on April 18, 2015, 09:42:17 Reading Buses display forthcoming departures from the railway station as the bus gets near the town centre.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on May 20, 2015, 11:55:26 Starbucks now open at Taunton. Choice of alcoholic beverages vastly reduced. Red or white wine ^4.50 for 187.5ml. Or a Peroni lager ^3.75 for 330ml.
My suggestion. BYO. See the opening hours attached and spot the mistake. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: BerkshireBugsy on May 20, 2015, 13:15:19 I guess you need to be Marty McFly to shop there on Sunday :)
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on May 20, 2015, 13:30:05 Or it's open 23.5 hours.
But then that gets confusing as it opens at 0600 on Mondays. ;D Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on May 28, 2015, 18:28:00 Taunton station is also gaining a catering outlet on the down side platform 2.
It'll be an independently run sushi/sandwich outlet. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: TaplowGreen on May 29, 2015, 12:34:22 Taunton station is also gaining a catering outlet on the down side platform 2. It'll be an independently run sushi/sandwich outlet. ......sounds like there will be plenty of options at numerous stations for people to purchase food to take on the train.......another nail in the coffin of on train catering (....and/or perhaps retailers capitalising on its decline?) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Phil on May 29, 2015, 18:45:16 Ah but is it a Starbucks or is it a Starbucks?
I was given a ^10.00 voucher to spend in Starbucks a while ago. Proudly presented it a couple of weeks later at "Starbucks" in the Village Hotel, Swindon, only to be told they don't accept them. Apparently they aren't REALLY a Starbucks, they're a branded franchise. Could of fooled me! In fact, they successfully did so. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on May 30, 2015, 00:25:14 Just like my Burger King smartphone app e-vouchers. I presented one to BK at Paddington and it was declined. Not valid at stations, airports, motorway services, theme parks...
My fault for not reading the small print before activating the voucher. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: plymothian on May 30, 2015, 08:53:35 Which is not so bad as you can easily walk the 2 minutes to the branch on Praed Street.
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: TaplowGreen on May 30, 2015, 09:04:19 Ah but is it a Starbucks or is it a Starbucks? I was given a ^10.00 voucher to spend in Starbucks a while ago. Proudly presented it a couple of weeks later at "Starbucks" in the Village Hotel, Swindon, only to be told they don't accept them. Apparently they aren't REALLY a Starbucks, they're a branded franchise. Could of fooled me! In fact, they successfully did so. Same issue at Starbucks on the footbridge at Reading station - there is actually a sign up there explaining why......then again as (my fellow!) Plymothian points out in a similar manner re:the BK on Praed St, there is another "proper" Starbucks a short distance away! Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on June 24, 2015, 17:48:13 Taunton Starbucks just refused to serve me a glass of tap water. Reminded them of the Licensing Act, but still told me I had to buy a bottle of water.
Let's see what SSP say about that before I contact the local authority. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: GBM on June 25, 2015, 04:46:40 Sorry bignosemac, SSP?
Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on June 25, 2015, 05:35:10 My fault. Select Service Partners. The franchisee of Starbucks on Taunton Station.
SSP run the vast majority of station catering outlets in the UK. Pumpkin, Upper Crust, Cafe Ritazza, Pasty Shop, Burger King, some station bars, to name but a few of their brands. Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: broadgage on June 25, 2015, 15:27:07 Taunton Starbucks just refused to serve me a glass of tap water. Reminded them of the Licensing Act, but still told me I had to buy a bottle of water. Let's see what SSP say about that before I contact the local authority. Is there in fact any GENERAL requirement under the licensing act to make tap water available ? I thought that a requirement to make tap water available was sometimes made a requirement of a SPECIFIC licence, but was not a general requirement. I do of course stand to be corrected, does anyone know for certain . EDIT TO ADD It would seem that yes, free tap water must be supplied, see following posts for details. I used to run a pub and there was then no obligation to supply tap water, but that was years ago and long before the 2003 legislation referred to Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: bobm on June 25, 2015, 16:36:26 From GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing)
Relevant extract Quote Mandatory licensing conditions introduced by the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 introduced conditions that apply to all relevant premises in England and Wales. They apply to all licensed premises and those with a club premises certificate in England and Wales. In particular, if your premises sells or supplies alcohol, you must ensure that an age verification policy applies at the premises. The other conditions apply in respect of premises licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol on the premises, and are: ^a ban on irresponsible promotions ^a ban on dispensing alcohol directly into customers^ mouths ^mandatory provision of free tap water ^the mandatory provision of smaller measures (see below for further details) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Chris from Nailsea on June 25, 2015, 22:48:48 Quote ^a ban on dispensing alcohol directly into customers^ mouths Ehh?? :o ::) ??? Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: Surrey 455 on June 25, 2015, 22:58:14 From GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing) Relevant extract Quote Mandatory licensing conditions introduced by the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 introduced conditions that apply to all relevant premises in England and Wales. They apply to all licensed premises and those with a club premises certificate in England and Wales. In particular, if your premises sells or supplies alcohol, you must ensure that an age verification policy applies at the premises. The other conditions apply in respect of premises licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol on the premises, and are: ^a ban on irresponsible promotions ^a ban on dispensing alcohol directly into customers^ mouths ^mandatory provision of free tap water ^the mandatory provision of smaller measures (see below for further details) Do Starbucks station outlets serve alcohol or is there another piece of legislation that requires them to provide free tap water? Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: ellendune on June 25, 2015, 23:03:23 Do Starbucks station outlets serve alcohol or is there another piece of legislation that requires them to provide free tap water? Yes - See earlier post in the thread http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15636.msg176405#msg176405 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15636.msg176405#msg176405) Title: Re: Taunton station losing Pumpkin, gaining Starbucks Post by: JayMac on June 26, 2015, 00:04:29 For clarification, yes, the Starbucks on Taunton station has a licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption on or off the premises.
It is was only an 'off' licence then they wouldn't be required to provide tap water on request. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |