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Pumpkin Sheffield closed
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a_c_skinner
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It will turn into a coach at midnight. Lets hope Brush isn't converting the white mice for haulage.
(I think all Pumpkin is gone or going)
(I think all Pumpkin is gone or going)
TT-ONR-NRN
Established Member
Hahaha, this thread would be more accurate if named “Pumpkin Everywhere closed!” They’re dropping like flies.
Mcr Warrior
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Is the "Pumpkin" sub-brand being selectively remonikered by owners Select Service Partners Ltd. as "Café Local" (which I think has happened at Wolverhampton station).
D6130
Established Member
I've always preferred the Sheffield Tap since it opened....but, admittedly, it's quite a hike if your train's departing from platforms 2-5 - or if you're teetotal!
Iskra
Established Member
I doubt anyone will miss it, a very over-priced brand, with mediocre products.
D6130
Established Member
I think that's a fair description of any SSP outlet in railway stations, airports, ferry terminals, hospitals, shopping centres, etc.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Except M&S Food which is run as a franchise. And Burger King is the same as all the other ones, like that or dislike it.
D6130
Established Member
I thought M&S Food outlets on stations were also operated by SSP? I've certainly seen people in SSP uniforms working in the Leeds branch.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Yes, they are, that's my exact point. The post I was replying to bemourned SSP outlets being bad, I said they were bad except those two because they're operated to the franchise spec of the franchisor.
D6130
Established Member
Ah yes, I see what you mean. Apologies for misunderstanding!
Iskra
Established Member
I don’t mind the SSP M&S, but the pricing at the SSP BK outlets is extortionate, so I’m not sure you can describe them positively.
SSP Greggs are the same, considerably more expensive then other stores.
Personally I don't mind a Pumpkin Coffee, but their stores are run down and dingy. They've needed an update for a long time.
Yep. Repeat for Upper Crust which I’ve never ever understood the appeal of especially when they are regular branded shops a minute away. Soulless, expensive, and only average quality (at best) produce.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Prices are elevated at all station outlets because Network Rail wants its cut.
Indeed, isn't that why you typically didn't get McDs at stations and motorway services, because they wouldn't allow franchisees to change the prices? I believe they now do, though, hence them being quite common now at the latter.
Upper Crust was innovative 20 years ago but has now been rather eclipsed by others offering a better version of the same idea e.g. Pret.
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Mcr Warrior
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Are you effectively suggesting that the "Upper Crust" product offering is now, perhaps, somewhat stale?
Iskra
Established Member
There’s slight elevation, as per the Costa at Sheffield Station, and there’s price gouging as per the BK at Sheffield station. Greggs also manage to maintain reasonable
pricing at such locations. If some brands can maintain reasonable pricing, it rather suggests greed rather than Network Rail being at fault.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Are you effectively suggesting that the "Upper Crust" product offering is now, perhaps, somewhat stale?
I guess it is. 20 or maybe 25 years ago the idea of freshly (ish) made baguettes was quite innovative, the only sandwiches you could buy were prepacked triangles, and Subway only came to the UK in 2001ish.
I wonder would Pret allow them to franchise? Replacing them with that would probably be a good bet. I suppose Camden Food Co is sort of meant to be a copy of Pret but it isn't particularly good, and I'm not sure it ever got out more widely than Euston.
There's one at Liverpool Street but every time I've been in the shelves have been almost empty with just afew very expensive sad offerings on display, so I've never actually bought anything there other than a bottle of water.
I guess it is. 20 or maybe 25 years ago the idea of freshly (ish) made baguettes was quite innovative, the only sandwiches you could buy were prepacked triangles, and Subway only came to the UK in 2001ish.
I wonder would Pret allow them to franchise? Replacing them with that would probably be a good bet. I suppose Camden Food Co is sort of meant to be a copy of Pret but it isn't particularly good, and I'm not sure it ever got out more widely than Euston.
I do quite like Upper Crust, but I've stopped buying them as they are just stupidly expensive now, and my train travel has dropped off a cliff the past 3 months and I'm not sure if or when it will ever recover.
mattdickinson
Member
I guess it is. 20 or maybe 25 years ago the idea of freshly (ish) made baguettes was quite innovative, the only sandwiches you could buy were prepacked triangles, and Subway only came to the UK in 2001ish.
I wonder would Pret allow them to franchise? Replacing them with that would probably be a good bet. I suppose Camden Food Co is sort of meant to be a copy of Pret but it isn't particularly good, and I'm not sure it ever got out more widely than Euston.
Pret do have franchises in petrol stations.
They weren’t bad when they started - mind you back then there often wasn’t much alternative.
Mcr Warrior
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What as? Another SSP sub-brand?
The Pumpkin at Newton Abbot was a sad poorly set-up addition to the corner of a waiting room when I visited in April. Some are quite smart, many are well past their sell-by dates. I get the impression that SSP outlets are gradually being replaced on stations by smaller chain outlets (or it's SSP under cunning new disguises).
As an aside I was quite bemused to see an Upper Crust at Berlin Hauptbahnhof
As an aside I was quite bemused to see an Upper Crust at Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
SSP owns what used to be Mitropa, which does catering on German stations (no longer on trains).
One made it as far as JFK airport!
Yes, I saw that just now on my way back. It’s still SSP but a “Cafe Local”. There are people in there converting it.
It was OK for a coffee and the staff were very friendly.
Gerald Fiennes
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Presumably escaped from New Jersey, then!!!
I don’t mind Pumpkin to be honest. Pumpkin do some nice paninis and usually have a very good selection of drinks, cakes and snacks. I also prefer their teas and hot chocolates compared to some other vendors. Upper Crust are OK but their baguettes just seem to be out and uncovered all day which kind of puts me off a bit. Some of these outlets are still popular - The Upper Crust in Swindon (on platforms 1–3) regularly has long queues in the morning peak. I’d imagine a Pret (or similar) would also be popular there though.
I think my favourite are the Cafe Express outlets that they have at places like Bridgend, Chester and Banbury. A good selection of hot food and the prices aren’t too bad.
I think my favourite are the Cafe Express outlets that they have at places like Bridgend, Chester and Banbury. A good selection of hot food and the prices aren’t too bad.
Despite the extortionate prices, I was only offered two sachets of ketchup at the Sheffield BK last Monday, to use between two of us!
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