Double espresso: Croydon station coffee kiosks signal green shoots of economic recovery

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), operator of Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, has welcomed the opening of two new food and drink outlets at East Croydon station, boosting the choice of refreshments for passengers.

The kiosk serving Platforms 5 and 6, which had been empty for over a year, is now occupied by the latest branch of The Carriage, a small but growing coffee-and-pastries chain run by businesswoman Ayse Mevlit. Ayse is now trading at three stations on the Southern network, and plans to open a fourth later this year.

Passengers using the station’s northern footbridge are now offered hot drinks and spicy snacks at Tasty Bites, trading in a unit that had been vacant since the first Covid lockdown in 2020. The business’s owner, Dan Tyson, has been operating the kiosk next door, Coffee by Dave, for two years.

The Croydon businesses join a wave of new lettings across the GTR network, which the train company sees as a sign of strong recovery in local economies after the effects of the pandemic. With around 350 retail units in total at the stations it manages, GTR now has over 60 tenancy agreements in progress, more than were completed in the whole of last year. Many units that have been vacant for two years or more, and some since before the pandemic, are now being let to confident traders.

David Gornall, GTR’s Commercial Director, said: “A warm welcome to The Carriage and Tasty Bites. We’re delighted to see our stations’ retail businesses bouncing back after such a difficult period. As passenger numbers recover, station retail units are again being seen as good opportunities for thriving trade.

“And of course, it’s great news for our customers, who can enjoy more choice, better facilities and a better journey experience. Over the next few months, we’ll continue to announce a great variety of high-quality retail openings across the network.”

Ayse Mevlit said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest coffee shop at East Croydon station. After proudly serving the community at East Grinstead for two decades, we are excited to extend our renowned service and quality offerings to East Croydon. This expansion marks a significant milestone for us, and we look forward to welcoming commuters and locals alike to experience our exceptional coffee and warm hospitality.”

Danny Tyson said: "We are excited to introduce something new to East Croydon – Tasty Bites, with a mix of homemade Caribbean and English cuisines to tickle your taste buds. We also offer Coffee By Dave, at the rear exit of the station, specialising in coffee and confectionery with the same fast, effective, competitive and convenient service."

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