Management of Reading and Bristol Temple Meads stations - FGW to Network Rail

[whole diary]

[Oxman]

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) has announced that six new retail outlets will open on the transfer deck in April 2014;

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/New-retail-choices-for-passengers-at-Reading-station-1f01.aspx

"Hotel Chocolat, Boots, The Cornish Pasty Co, Upper Crust, Cards Galore and Oliver Bonas are all primed to start work on units in the newly constructed part of the station. The new retailers will join Starbucks, which is currently the only business operating on the passenger bridge."

"Reading station is currently managed by First Great Western. Network Rail is managing the letting of retail space as there is an aspiration by the Department for Transport that management of Reading and Bristol Temple Meads be assumed by Network Rail from spring 2014."

[Southern Stag]

6 seems like quite a lot on the transfer deck. Seems like some slightly odd choices of retailers too.

[johngreg]

What are the pro/cons of Network rail managing Reading rather than FGW^▸ (First Great Western)? As an occassional passenger through Reading am I going to notice any difference?

In relation to the retailers most are at Waterloo (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/london-waterloo-station/shops/) some upstairs, so this would seem an obvious extension to a another major station.

[R.Langley]

In answer to your question johngreg, I believe the only visual differences will be some of the signage. The on station staff are all likely to remain FGW^▸ (First Great Western), but the "behind the scenes" stuff is to be run by Network Rail.

At least that's what I gleaned from the radio.

[JayMac]

Welcome to the Great Western Passengers' Forum R.Langley. 

Network Rail also tend to deal with Customer Assistance (distinct from Customer Information) at the stations they manage. Although whether this will be the case at Reading and Bristol Temple Meads when they 'take over' I can't say.

[Boppy]

Who has the greatest say in which retail outlets get the prime Transfer Deck spots?  And does having Network Rail rather than FGW^▸ (First Great Western) manage Reading impact on this decision?

Reason I ask is that I believe in a separate thread (or maybe earlier in this one) it was highlighted how the local independent retailers like Tutti Frutti (who currently have a spot on the old concourse) were unhappy how the transfer deck spots were going to go to bigger national retailers.  I'm sure it comes down to pure finances at the end of the day but reserving one spot for a local retailer would have been a nice idea and I'm wondering what say the management of Reading station had in that.  Anyone know?

Thanks,

Boppy.

[Network SouthEast]

I'm unsure about Oliver Bonas, but certainly the other retailers listed by Oxman going on the transfer deck can all be run as franchises away from the main company.

Starbucks on the transfer deck is actually a franchise run by SSP UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

My suspicion is that SSP UK (or someone else) have actually leased the entire transfer deck in one go. That may be why the likes of Tutti Frutti aren't able to go on the transfer deck.

[ChrisB]

Haven't SSP got first refusals on any NR^» (Network Rail - home page)-run station?

[JayMac]

Haven't SSP got first refusals on any NR^» (Network Rail - home page)-run station?

Wouldn't that be anti-competitive and illegal?

As far as I can tell, only one of the six mentioned is currently an SSP brand/franchise (Upper Crust). Possibly two if The Cornish Pasty Co is actually 'The Pasty Shop'.

Of course SSP could become the franchisees for the other units. Although I'm not sure that Boots, Cards Galore or Oliver Bonas offer franchises.

[ChrisB]

Not if the contract is retendered regularly.

But SSP certainly seem to have most food outlets, whether franchised or owned.

[Jonty]

A cash machine would be useful, either in the North Terminal booking hall or on the deck itself.

Do the retail outlets get their own bucket and mop as part of the lease...?

[FremlinsMan]

A cash machine would be useful, either in the North Terminal booking hall or on the deck itself.

...

How about a covered seating area, with heating? (Only joking!)

[JayMac]

Do the retail outlets get their own bucket and mop as part of the lease...?

*like* 

[lbraine]

The outlet that sells umbrellas and thermal wear will mint it.

[MVR S&T]

A waiting room with the pasty shop at one end, a large warm seating area with a view of the trains, a real ale outlet at the other, with the departure boards and screens with the thames valley control centre train describer above the windows....or perhaps not.