Station Planning Guidance 3.6 Retail and Social Enterprise Social Enterprise Social Enterprises can be initiated by the station team, the TOC, or by other groups that come together to propose ideas. Change Please is a social enterprise which is tackling homelessness by training people living on the streets to become baristas. Their kiosks are now available in London Underground stations and on-board some West Coast Main Line trains. At Preston station a cycle hub was opened along with a small branch of family run Leisure Lake Bikes. Encouraging a diverse range of retail Some schemes rent out spaces on a very short term basis, encouraging start-ups and pop-up, along with a whole range of occupants that would not otherwise be able to have a tenancy in a train station. Appear Here is one example, and has sites in a range of stations including Old Street Underground station and Newcastle Central station. Tenancies can vary from bookings of under a week to several months. They are typically much smaller spaces than typical station retail outlets.
Refer to Retail, Social and Business in the Design Considerations Toolkit
Station Design Guidance Strategic Planning NR/GN/CIV/100/02 July 2020 37/104
Providing meanwhile uses For areas that are awaiting redevelopment or are underutilised, meanwhile uses can generate interest and attract tenants that may prefer shorter term lets. They can also generate local excitement and provide more sense of community than traditional retail. Market Uses Station Forecourts and external areas that have high footfall could be suited to market uses. Examples include food markets and farmers markets. These should be held at published regular intervals. Infrastructure such as pop-up power should be provided. A weekly Farmers Market takes place at the forecourt of West Hampstead Thameslink station, organised by London Farmers' Markets.
Image 3.5 Short Term Let Unit — Old Street station
Supporting the local economy Where possible, local contractors should be prioritised for station works and servicing contracts. Contracts and staff recruitment should be advertised locally. Additional guidance for promoters investing in railway stations can be provided by Network Rail Group Strategy & Planning.
Image 3.6 Social Enterprise — Change Please Coffee