•         ·        Tailored retail strategies for over 80 GWR stations across Devon and Cornwall.
•         ·        Tackled seasonal demand, remote locations, and compliance issues to improve retail viability.
•         ·        Blended retail with community services and tourism to boost accessibility.
•         ·        New and expanded ventures revitalised station retail with unique offerings.
• Collaborated with GWR and local businesses earned strong praise for communication and partnership
  

•         ·        80 stations included in the revitalisation programme.
•         ·        3 new station locations were added for Cornish Rail Coffee Co.
•         ·        2 mobile coffee ventures launched.
• 2 refurbished stations

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Rail retail across Devon and Cornwall faces a unique and complex set of challenges, compounded by broader economic pressures and market conditions. A significant portion of the region’s economy is seasonal, heavily reliant on tourism, which leads to fluctuating demand and makes it difficult for some operators to sustain year-round trade. This seasonal volatility affects retail viability, particularly at smaller and rural stations where footfall can vary dramatically throughout the year. Additionally, the geographic spread of stations—many located in remote corners of Devon and Cornwall—creates logistical difficulties for specialised rail sector retailers, especially those managing supply chains or staffing across multiple sites. In some cases, underinvestment in retail infrastructure has resulted in compliance issues, with units failing to meet statutory and specialised rail safety standards. These factors combined have made it challenging to attract and retain tenants, limiting the commercial potential of station retail. Amey PC & I has worked to address these issues by developing tailored letting strategies, improving visibility, and supporting local enterprise, helping to unlock the value of underused assets and enhance the passenger experience across the network.

Amey took a tailored approach unique to each station and its retail offering.  We spent extensive periods of time on the ground to really understand each station and its trading environment.  We held regular meetings with existing retailers, GWR station management teams and prospective new retailers. We met with GWR passengers to discuss their expectations and requirements. We reassessed the sometimes-limited retail suitability of existing units, considering whether layout or other physical changes could reduce operating overheads and increase accessibility. We considered opportunities for alternative or mixed uses, integrating food & beverage retail with wider community services and / or a tourism focussed offering. We assessed footfall numbers and pedestrian flow patterns, linking these with railway operational requirements to recommend the presentation of each retail opportunity at its optimum.  We undertook detailed local market research, beating the High Street in each town, visiting destination retail centres and tapping into our extensive database to prepare a targeted marketing list for each opportunity.

We presented our bespoke ‘Tactical Business Plan’ product to GWR, comprising an extensive report for each station setting out both asset management and marketing recommendations.  We received instructions and partnered with GWR to implement asset management initiatives and offer refreshed retail opportunities across Devon and Cornwall Stations.

We’ve expanded the coverage of various existing retailers on the Devon & Cornwall rail estate. The newly re-branded ‘Cornish Rail Coffee Co’ had previously only traded from Bodmin Parkway Station.  Its distinctive ‘grab and go’ offering, using only Cornish suppliers now also trades from Penzance and Liskeard Stations with aspirations to take further stations within Cornwall.  We’ve widened the scope of retail opportunities at stations, with mobile trading at Plymouth (Hutong Bagel) and at Looe (Coasters Coffee). We’ve refreshed and reinvigorated retail offerings with some transformative before and after refurbishments at Newquay and Dawlish.  We’ve welcomed new catering businesses onto the rail estate. Following GWR’s reopening of the branch line to Okehampton, a Devon based catering business began trading from the fully refurbished Okehampton station.  And we’re delighted to be working with that same business to open their second café at Tiverton Parkway this year. From branded surf wear at Newquay Station to bike hire at Barnstaple Station to a Penguin Books Vending Machine at Exeter St Davids Station, we’ve created some unique and exciting offerings reflecting the personality of each station.