Sayonara Dashi. Hello ubiquitous coffee chain.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

The Dashi Sushi Bar in the subway at Bristol Temple Meads has closed with a notice in the window saying  something along the lines of it being unable to continue to trade due to increased costs and falling patronage.

Outside the station affixed to a lamp-post I spotted a 'Listed Building Planning Consent' notice:

"Rebranding of existing 'Dashi' sushi bar to form Starbucks including the installation of illuminated and non-illuminated signage."

http://e2edocs.bristol.gov.uk/WAM/findCaseFile.do?appType=planning&appNumber=10/02392/LA

I urge all users of Bristol Temple Meads to continue using the excellent AMT Coffee outlet in the subway and avoid the new Barstucks, except to avail yourself of their 'outdoor' seating area in the subway!

[Tim]

Thats a shame.  I hope Dashi staying in Bath.

I'd always asumed the alternative subway outlet was called ATM^▸ (Automated Teller Machine, or 'at the moment', depending on context) coffee because it is near the cash machines 

[IndustryInsider]

I'd always asumed the alternative subway outlet was called ATM^▸ (Automated Teller Machine, or 'at the moment', depending on context) coffee because it is near the cash machines 

It's AMT, Tim!  Run by three American brothers, Allistair, Angus (and another beginning with 'A' which I can't remember) McCallum Toppin, hence the 'AMT' name.  They've grown quite quickly from humble beginnings in Oxford and avoided the dreaded takeover by some of the larger chains.

[JayMac]

In their early days at Oxford Station AMT were nearly forced out by Railtrack colluding with the incumbant refreshment outlet. A vociferous campaign and petition led to the decision to terminate their lease being overturned.

I note that the Barstucks franchise at Temple Meads will be operated by Select Service Partners who already operate every other (AMT excluded) catering outlet on the station.

Despite having an SSP BiTE discount card I always buy my hot drinks from AMT, simply because they know how to make great coffee. The stuff from Upper Crust/Pumpkin etc just doesn't cut it!

[Brucey]

I note that the Barstucks franchise at Temple Meads will be operated by Select Service Partners who already operate every other (AMT excluded) catering outlet on the station.

Don't SSP also own Rail Gourmet, who provide on-train catering for many TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), including FGW^▸ (First Great Western)?

[JayMac]

Yep. And they run the 1st Class lounges at Cardiff and Paddington.

[matt473]

AMT should be safe as Starbucks already have a shop by at Temple Quay so may be happy enough there. However as more and more people discover the Bitecard I can see AMT suffering since they do not accept it so people will choose the cheaper option

[inspector_blakey]

Starbucks don't participate in the Bite Card scheme either, it's just SSP-operated franchised outlets. The only issue I have with AMT is the length of time it takes for them to make a coffee. I know it's because they're doing everything properly and there's no denying that the product is very good, but even at quiet times the kiosk in the subway seems to generate huge queues, especially if there's only one executive brewing operative (or however AMT refer to them) manning it. Result...? If I'm in a hurry I'll go to the pasty shop next door where the coffee is still very palatable, and I get my Bite Card discount.

_{Edited to add...}
On further reflection, I'm a little surprised that Dashi lasted this long. Now, I like a bit of sushi, me, but not at the prices they were charging. And they almost never seemed to be open when I was passing through.

[matt473]

I know Starbucks are not part of the scheme but their existing premises may be good enough for them already. In all fairness though having thought about it, everything could very well change when (or rather if) Network Rail start this rumoured natonewide upgrading of stations

[inspector_blakey]

But from the OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter, or Off Peak, depending on context) the planning application refers specifically to a Starbucks replacing the Dashi, so I don't think your argument that they may not occupy that unit holds (unless they're refused planning permission for some strange reason - like at York.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Just for information, here is a photo of the formal notice in the window of the Dashi Sushi shop at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) (with apologies for the rather tactless reflection!):



I'm not so sure about their reference to 'Friday 15 January 2010', though - they were certainly still trading until much more recently than that!

C. 

[brizzlechris]

The Starbucks at Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) opened today though there was definitely no "outdoor" seating.