Select Service Partner - Unfair Monopoly

Skymonster · 24 Jan 2022

I am unfamiliar with the financial model in railway stations, but UK airport outlets typically pay not only floor rent but also a percentage of turnover to the landlord (i.e. the airport owner / operator), and this in part contributes to higher prices (as well, of course, as prices being pitched at a level only a captive market will tolerate).

Mind you, even if the model is similar in rail, it still doesn’t justify some of the outrageous pricing - I sometimes like a drink on the train, and the local station Pumpkin charges £4.95 for a can of JD and Coke, Tesco price £5.00 for three of the same with a Clubcard! The overpriced bar (SSP managed) still hasn’t reopened after the pandemic.

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ainsworth74 · 24 Jan 2022

Mcr Warrior said:
Thanks for clarifying. Even if it were a 50% discount, their product range would, for the most part, still be overpriced and IMHO not particularly good value for money.

I always used to consider a Bite card reduced the price from so extortionate I'd never buy anything to so expensive I'd only buy in a pinch.

Bletchleyite · 24 Jan 2022

Mcr Warrior said:
Thanks for clarifying. Even if it were a 50% discount, their product range would, for the most part, still be overpriced and IMHO not particularly good value for money.

To be fair to them I found 20% reduced them to reasonable levels compared with similar stuff bought outside of the station (but not supermarkets, but comparing their pricing model to that found in a suburban Tesco Extra is about as sensible as comparing pub alcohol prices with those in said Tesco).

Skymonster · 24 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
To be fair to them I found 20% reduced them to reasonable levels compared with similar stuff bought outside of the station (but not supermarkets, but comparing their pricing model to that found in a suburban Tesco Extra is about as sensible as comparing pub alcohol prices with those in said Tesco).

I think many of us expect to pay a premium of sorts in locations such as stations, especially when additional value is offered such as a convivial location, good service or extra such as a glass to drink out of. Hiwever, when that premium is a price 200% more than charged by the Tesco Express convenience store round the corner and no service benefit is offered, SSP proces just represent a tax on those too lazy to look for better value.

Bletchleyite · 24 Jan 2022

Skymonster said:
I think many of us expect to pay a premium of sorts in locations such as stations, especially when additional value is offered such as a convivial location, good service or extra such as a glass to drink out of. Hiwever, when that premium is a price 200% more than charged by the Tesco Express convenience store round the corner and no service benefit is offered, SSP proces just represent a tax on those too lazy to look for better value.

I don't think there's really anything wrong with paying for convenience. It's a very common business practice - motorway services are the classic. Even Tesco do it, e.g. by omitting some of the Value ranges from Express and Metro stores.

If you don't want to pay it, go to said Tesco. Talking of Tesco etc they do make very good alternative motorway services for a planned stop, easy to find one using your satnav. Toilets and cheaper fuel and cafe, as well as a vastly better shop.

yorksrob · 24 Jan 2022

James H said:
I noticed tonight that SSP's Burger King at Waterloo (ex Casey Jones) has closed down

That's a shame. Sometimes a burger and chips just his the spot. There does seem to be a switch in the London terminals to more yuppie orientated outlets.

yorksrob · 24 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
By contrast I'm quite glad to hear this, because fried food utterly stinks the train out. By all means have a pasty, a sandwich or whatever, but if it involves chips please eat them before boarding. We don't want to share the greasy fug.

And I say that as someone who likes eating greasy food in the right setting, indeed I had chips for lunch.

If you're that worried about the great fug, campaign for the railway to bring back compartments.

It has to be said, the one at Waterloo was one of the few that actually had seating space, so if they replace it with a kiosk, there may be more people eating it on the train.

Djgr · 24 Jan 2022

Skymonster said:
I think many of us expect to pay a premium of sorts in locations such as stations, especially when additional value is offered such as a convivial location, good service or extra such as a glass to drink out of. Hiwever, when that premium is a price 200% more than charged by the Tesco Express convenience store round the corner and no service benefit is offered, SSP proces just represent a tax on those too lazy to look for better value.

Perhaps there should be an app that lists alternatives to SSP? Perhaps there is?!

I'm not really sure that the current method is the best way to do things. But there are plenty of people on the forum who tell me, as ever when it comes to railway matters, that there is no alternative.

Bletchleyite · 24 Jan 2022

Djgr said:
Perhaps there should be an app that lists alternatives to SSP? Perhaps there is?!

Google Maps?

OK, it varies by station what's nearby - Bristol Temple Meads is a particular nuisance, and Euston isn't *great* though there's a cheapish 24 hour convenience store opposite the steps down from Marks if you just want crisps and sweets. But you can always put "supermarket" or "takeaway" in Google Maps and find the ones nearby.

Mcr Warrior · 24 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
...Euston isn't *great* though there's a cheapish 24 hour convenience store opposite the steps down from Marks if you just want crisps and sweets.

Isn't there still a Sainsbury's Local just outside Euston?

Bletchleyite · 24 Jan 2022

Mcr Warrior said:
Isn't there still a Sainsbury's Local just outside Euston?

There is, yes, out of the door and turn right. It's very useful, and while I'm sure there's a markup compared with a "normal" one (as it's in the station building) it's not horrendously pricey. Fairly sure it also has a Costa Express machine which is likely to be some of the cheaper coffee there.

Annetts key · 24 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
Google Maps?

OK, it varies by station what's nearby - Bristol Temple Meads is a particular nuisance, and Euston isn't *great* though there's a cheapish 24 hour convenience store opposite the steps down from Marks if you just want crisps and sweets. But you can always put "supermarket" or "takeaway" in Google Maps and find the ones nearby.

The nearest pasty shop is The Pasty Emporium https://goo.gl/maps/wuevx4hSpouRDi9d8

Mcr Warrior said:
Isn't there still a Sainsbury's Local just outside Euston?

Yes.

800001 · 24 Jan 2022

alistairlees said:
Perhaps the only outlets at smaller / mid-size stations are SSP ones in many cases - but that may be because these stations can support only one or two outlets.

At stations like Euston and Kings Cross there are many alternative outlets.

At York (for example) there are (in addition to the two Pumpkin and one Upper Crust outlets): Costa, Filmore & Union, Whistlestop *2, the York Tap, Ugot, AMT Coffee, Burger King, The West Cornwall Pasty Company, Starbucks, Duke of York. Perhaps some of these are operated by SSP, but this does seem like quite a choice.

Edit: I just realised that the Filmore & Union ones may no longer exist!

Neither does West Cornish pasty or Pumpkin exsist at York anymore.

Bald Rick · 24 Jan 2022

Mcr Warrior said:
Isn't there still a Sainsbury's Local just outside Euston?

and a Pret, and an M&S - the latter is SSP, but prices are only marginally higher than ‘high st’ M&S.

Elecman · 24 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
There is, yes, out of the door and turn right. It's very useful, and while I'm sure there's a markup compared with a "normal" one (as it's in the station building) it's not horrendously pricey. Fairly sure it also has a Costa Express machine which is likely to be some of the cheaper coffee there.

It does have a Costa Express machine as does the WH Smith’s

Meglos · 24 Jan 2022

SSP run the Starbucks kiosk on Platform 7/8 at Wimbledon. Their prices - for my drink of choice - are exactly the same as the Starbucks on Wimbledon Hill Road (opposite the station main entrance). The only real difference is that the SSP outlet won't honour the free drinks which I build up on my Starbuck loyalty card.

Taunton · 25 Jan 2022

yorksrob said:
There does seem to be a switch in the London terminals to more yuppie orientated outlets.

Indeed. There was a significant restaurant opened on the new upper lavel at Waterloo a year or so back. All very much trendy, excessive emphasis on vegan stuff, etc. It was deserted. Then they started doing "conventional" breakfasts, and it was notable in the morning that 90% of the now more numerous customers were going for that. It seemed to really annoy the proprietors.

Mcr Warrior · 25 Jan 2022

Taunton said:
Indeed. There was a significant restaurant opened on the new upper lavel at Waterloo a year or so back. All very much trendy, excessive emphasis on vegan stuff, etc. It was deserted. Then they started doing "conventional" breakfasts, and it was notable in the morning that 90% of the now more numerous customers were going for that. It seemed to really annoy the proprietors.

Possibly they weren't actually providing what the majority of the travelling public wanted, which probably means their original business model wasn't really right.

Was this an SSP outlet, by the way?

yorksrob · 25 Jan 2022

Taunton said:
Indeed. There was a significant restaurant opened on the new upper lavel at Waterloo a year or so back. All very much trendy, excessive emphasis on vegan stuff, etc. It was deserted. Then they started doing "conventional" breakfasts, and it was notable in the morning that 90% of the now more numerous customers were going for that. It seemed to really annoy the proprietors.

It's nice to know that in spite of various culinary trends over the years, still nothing compares to a good fry up !

Bletchleyite · 25 Jan 2022

yorksrob said:
It's nice to know that in spite of various culinary trends over the years, still nothing compares to a good fry up !

Mr Wetherspoon sells enough of them! (I recall they attempted to get rid of it in favour of Eggs Benedict and the likes but it was quickly returned to the menu when they saw how many people objected).

yorksrob · 25 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
Mr Wetherspoon sells enough of them! (I recall they attempted to get rid of it in favour of Eggs Benedict and the likes but it was quickly returned to the menu when they saw how many people objected).

Goodness, if they pulled that one they'd lose half their trade !

I must admit, I prefer a more traditional cafe, such as Huddersfield station buffet personally.

ainsworth74 · 25 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
Mr Wetherspoon sells enough of them! (I recall they attempted to get rid of it in favour of Eggs Benedict and the likes but it was quickly returned to the menu when they saw how many people objected).

I do think Mr Wetherspoon's breakfast has been the victim of cost cutting however. It's been a while since I had one that was anything other than mediocre.

D6130 · 25 Jan 2022

When I passed through Bristol TM last Summer, I noticed that the large 'Bonaparte's' Bar on platform 3 had closed and been stripped out. Was that also another SSP franchise?

Bletchleyite · 25 Jan 2022

ainsworth74 said:
I do think Mr Wetherspoon's breakfast has been the victim of cost cutting however. It's been a while since I had one that was anything other than mediocre.

I think to be fair "mediocre" is an accurate description of the entire operation and long has been! But it is cheap (basically in the same market as McDonald's, but fewer kids, proper crockery/cutlery/glasses etc), and so if you're of limited means then no doubt it allows you to have something you'd not afford otherwise.

It can also be a handy place to go and work if you need to do so away from home, the wifi is free and decent and because it's a big corporate you don't need to feel guilty about minimal purchases.

ainsworth74 · 25 Jan 2022

Bletchleyite said:
I think to be fair "mediocre" is an accurate description of the entire operation and long has been! But it is cheap (basically in the same market as McDonald's, but fewer kids, proper crockery/cutlery/glasses etc), and so if you're of limited means then no doubt it allows you to have something you'd not afford otherwise.

True true. Though I always found breakfast to be reliably good for the money rather than being left feeling not ripped off exactly but definitely starting to doubt the value proposition! About the only thing on the main menu which is consistently good is the pizza's the rest seems to vary wildly from venue to venue. Some places seem to do very good food (for the money) other it's terrible even when you factor in how cheap it is.

We're probably going off-topic though so might need a new thread!

Annetts key · 25 Jan 2022

D6130 said:
When I passed through Bristol TM last Summer, I noticed that the large 'Bonaparte's' Bar on platform 3 had closed and been stripped out. Was that also another SSP franchise?

Yes.

Vespa · 25 Jan 2022

Euston has two independents outside Nero and Sainsbury's I doubt they are SSP as they charge normal prices, can't speak for the other eateries in the station forecourt outside as I've never been in them.

Bald Rick · 25 Jan 2022

Vespa said:
Euston has two independents outside Nero and Sainsbury's I doubt they are SSP as they charge normal prices, can't speak for the other eateries in the station forecourt outside as I've never been in them.

sainsburys at Euston charges higher prices than ‘high street’ For some items.

Vespa · 25 Jan 2022

Bald Rick said:
sainsburys at Euston charges higher prices than ‘high street’ For some items.

I haven't really noticed to be honest as I tend to buy meal deals, I do sit in Nero as an alternative to the first class lounge since I've dumped their appalling service and price..

I have noticed staffs that used to work in outlets in Liverpool Lime street when it was closed during Covid were redeployed in the concourse wearing a hi-vis bib.

Skymonster · 25 Jan 2022

Some of the brands SSP runs under franchise agreements dictate pricing (some insist it is aligned with the high street) while SSP is free to set more outrageous pricing in some of its other brands.

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