Loss of refreshment facilities at stations

[whole diary]

[nickswift99]

This isn't another thread about on-train catering.

However, on my travels recently I've noticed that there appears to be a loss of at-station facilities since the start of the pandemic.

While smaller commuter station coffee areas are obvious victims, albeit hopefully not forever, I've noticed that the concessions at Newbury and Didcot have also gone. Are there any other "larger" stations where there are no longer facilities for a coffee/sandwich?

[IndustryInsider]

A few outlets have reopened after furlough stopped at the end of last month, but some survived as a business due to commuter sales, so I doubt they will return.

Though to have a station of the size of Didcot with no facilities except for a vending machine is very poor, especially given there are no shops nearby, just the pub.  I would hope the Spar and one of the two Pumpkin outlets will open if they haven’t already.

[Jamsdad]

Liskeard struggled on part way through covid but has now closed down- a pity as they did a good trade. At least you could get a  great bacon sandwich and coffee before getting on a London train with near  non existant trolley service ( AND NO BACON ROLLS!!!)

[stuving]

I was surprised to see that the café/shop at Wokingham station reopened soon after lockdown was lifted. After all, it is (or was?) mostly a commuter station, and not a junction - not even much of an "intermodal hub". Mind you, I've no clear idea what it does or did sell, as it's so close to home I'd never need it.

[Marlburian]

As I've remarked in other threads, the refreshment van at Tilehurst seems popular with passengers and, apparently, with a few non-travellers (perhaps people popping in and/or drivers who have dropped off commuters).

[ChrisB]

A few outlets have reopened after furlough stopped at the end of last month, but some survived as a business due to commuter sales, so I doubt they will return.

Though to have a station of the size of Didcot with no facilities except for a vending machine is very poor, especially given there are no shops nearby, just the pub.  I would hope the Spar and one of the two Pumpkin outlets will open if they haven’t already.

Happy to be corrected, but I thought the Spar shop at Didcot was already open? Sure it was last time I passed through. Guess we’ll find out for sure on the day of the Coffeeshop AGM^▸ (Annual General Meeting) (this Saturday)

[IndustryInsider]

It might well be now, Chris.  It wasn’t a few weeks back when I last had the pleasure of spending Sind time at Didcot.

[ray951]

The Spar Shop at Didcot was open this morning.

The facilities at Oxford within the main concurse are also looking very sparse with only 2 refreshment shops open if you exclude M&S and WH Smith.

The employee in the cafe on platform 3 looked very bored at 9am, so I guess the number of customers they have isnt great.

[CJB666]

Feltham has two coffee outlets - the newsagent always open at £2.40, and Puccino's during peak hours at £2.40. Nearby MacD's do 99p.And Greggs at £1.40. Brand new Hayes & H. - nothing whatsoever..