Retail growth in two of Scotland’s biggest stations

NEW FIGURES show strong retail growth at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley stations - Scotland’s busiest - in stark contrast to falling high street sales, owner Network Rail said today.

Central saw like-for-like shop sales increase by 10.7 per cent between July and September, with Waverley recording a 5.4 per cent rise. Picture: Robert Perry

Central saw like-for-like shop sales increase by 10.7 per cent between July and September, with Waverley recording a 5.4 per cent rise.

Over the same period, Scottish like-for-like shop sales fell by 1.1 per cent.

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Edinburgh Waverley Picture: Ian Georgeson

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Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain’s 18 largest stations, said sales had now increased across the sector continuously since the start of 2012.

The growth reflects Scotland’s booming railways and the burgeoning number of shops, coffee stalls and other takeaways at stations, which are attracting customers in their own right.

Several new cafes and shops have opened at Central in the last year, with a cafe piazza planned for the east side of Waverley following redevelopment work.

Passengers on Scotland’s railways have increased by one third over the last decade to nearly 90 million a year.

Central is the second busiest station outside London, with 38m visitors a year, while Waverley handles 25m.

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Network Rail said specialist food and gift shops had seen sales growing the fastest, with bars also recording extra takings.

Head of retail Samantha Turner said: “These results again demonstrate how people are changing the way they shop, eat and travel.

“Convenience and combined retail and transport hubs are an increasingly high priority for the busy British public, and our strategy to create destination stations is delivering for our customers.

“Creating stations that welcome rail passengers and encourage them to spend time in and around our retail units is great for our retailers, and it’s clear the expanded and improved retail offer at our stations is meeting the needs of today’s passengers and station visitors.”

A Network Rail Scotland spokesman said: “Rail travel continues to grow in popularity and we are seeing changes in the way people want to use our stations.

“Stations like Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley have long played a social as well as a practical role in the lives of the cities they serve. We are keen to make sure we develop their facilities in a way that reflects what the public wants.

“Our stations, through the increased range of retailers and facilities available, and through initiatives such as the Waverley market and Glasgow Central tours, are offering the public unique opportunities and becoming destinations in their own right, not just transit points.”

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