Property Search
This project involved:
Case Study Background
SE Trains Limited have a portfolio of 164 stations, comprising over 180 units let to a variety of uses.
The portfolio has a wide range of uses primarily focussing on inline catering. In 2023 a large independent coffee business went into administration giving a fantastic opportunity to develop and source new catering offers in some of SETLs largest stations. Whilst this has delivered some exciting sites that have been tendered and will open in 2025, it has meant a lack of catering offers at some stations. We have used temporary mobile catering vehicles to plug this gap in many of the sites.
Not only does this ensure the passengers have a catering offer it has also served as a business incubator for smaller brands.
We have also continued to look at external sites where there is room to add further catering facilities to a station, focussing on non-travelling customers as well as passengers.
Amey TPT Input
• Detailed discussions with local Station Managers to find suitable locations for mobile vehicles to trade in
• Specific local market research to identify potential occupiers and businesses from the community and to talk to tenants who have enquired previously other sites
• Direct targeting of and approaches to ‘local hero’ occupiers
• Agreeing terms which have allowed smaller tenants to pay in arrears and on a turnover rent only basis in some locations
• Working with tenants to successfully trade in external station locations
Positive Outcomes
• 5 new mobile, independent operators trading at stations in 2024
• Improved coffee and food quality introduced at Hither Green with incremental revenue delivered to the client
• Stations where we are waiting for Tri Partite lease to complete have a short-term offer – Dartford & Bromley South
• Significant improvements in the customer experience at these stations
