Popular railway cafe back on track after u-turn (From The Argus)

I am really pleased to hear this, and good luck to the owners, although I have never personally made a purchase from the Cafe (I am brighton based) I think this is a great milestone for small businesses standing up for themselves and not being bullied by the bigger players (Southern and the Flying Bean chain) I wish you all the very best.

That's amazing,i'm very pleased for them...

How nice to read about a small victory for an independant and well liked business.

I was talking to an independant station cafe owner last week, who was soon to shut (not on southern) despite being excellent. It seems the train companies tend to lease to the big companies, so less choice and often lower quality at a higher price.

A message to Mr Clevey - it's not intimidation when customers stand up and support a business they want - it's called market forces !

HJarrs wrote:
How nice to read about a small victory for an independant and well liked business.

I was talking to an independant station cafe owner last week, who was soon to shut (not on southern) despite being excellent. It seems the train companies tend to lease to the big companies, so less choice and often lower quality at a higher price.

And perhaps the bigger players can pay a little more rent because they have fancy accountants that help them pay next to no tax? just a thought.

So the bullying locals have forced a perfectly legal and accepted tender to be withdrawn?

This place serves poor quality food and drink at rip off prices.

Hope the Lewes 'hicks' are pleased with their witch hunt...

The Wolfie wrote:
So the bullying locals have forced a perfectly legal and accepted tender to be withdrawn?

This place serves poor quality food and drink at rip off prices.

Hope the Lewes 'hicks' are pleased with their witch hunt...

Imodium is available at your local pharmacy!

The Wolfie wrote:
So the bullying locals have forced a perfectly legal and accepted tender to be withdrawn?

This place serves poor quality food and drink at rip off prices.

Hope the Lewes 'hicks' are pleased with their witch hunt...

I have looked at both the Southern Railway UK and Runaway Cafe's facebook pages for this contingent, whose activities are said to have "verged on direct intimidation" of The Drinks People and its staff, and I invite readers to do the same.
In essence, a modestly worded petition backed by over 5,000 Lewes commuters, referred to here as "bullying locals" , has seen off a company whose Flying Coffee Bean would be selling the usual watery stuff, and at higher prices than the Runaway Cafe, from a kiosk.
The locals in this case seem to be supported by tourists and travellers from around the world....they are hardly Lewes 'hicks', Wolfie, because they don't want to join the corporate pack.

People power!

keeshond8 wrote:

The Wolfie wrote:
So the bullying locals have forced a perfectly legal and accepted tender to be withdrawn?

This place serves poor quality food and drink at rip off prices.

Hope the Lewes 'hicks' are pleased with their witch hunt...

I have looked at both the Southern Railway UK and Runaway Cafe's facebook pages for this contingent, whose activities are said to have "verged on direct intimidation" of The Drinks People and its staff, and I invite readers to do the same.
In essence, a modestly worded petition backed by over 5,000 Lewes commuters, referred to here as "bullying locals" , has seen off a company whose Flying Coffee Bean would be selling the usual watery stuff, and at higher prices than the Runaway Cafe, from a kiosk.
The locals in this case seem to be supported by tourists and travellers from around the world....they are hardly Lewes 'hicks', Wolfie, because they don't want to join the corporate pack.

Try reading the content on here:

http://www.lewes.co.
uk/forum

And of course the original story:

But after the coffee firm was hit with a backlash from Runaway supporters, it withdrew its offer amid accusations of “intimidation”.

The Wolfie wrote:

keeshond8 wrote:

The Wolfie wrote:
So the bullying locals have forced a perfectly legal and accepted tender to be withdrawn?

This place serves poor quality food and drink at rip off prices.

Hope the Lewes 'hicks' are pleased with their witch hunt...

I have looked at both the Southern Railway UK and Runaway Cafe's facebook pages for this contingent, whose activities are said to have "verged on direct intimidation" of The Drinks People and its staff, and I invite readers to do the same.
In essence, a modestly worded petition backed by over 5,000 Lewes commuters, referred to here as "bullying locals" , has seen off a company whose Flying Coffee Bean would be selling the usual watery stuff, and at higher prices than the Runaway Cafe, from a kiosk.
The locals in this case seem to be supported by tourists and travellers from around the world....they are hardly Lewes 'hicks', Wolfie, because they don't want to join the corporate pack.

Try reading the content on here:

http://www.lewes.co.

uk/forum

And of course the original story:

But after the coffee firm was hit with a backlash from Runaway supporters, it withdrew its offer amid accusations of “intimidation”.

Wolfie - If I bother to answer your original point about "intimidation" and you simply repeat an unfounded accusation there is no further conversation to be had on the matter......and I notice that 90% of those Lewes Forum's comments support keeping the cafe: the constant refrain being what made Southern Railway ever think of putting the bid out to tender without consultation in the first place.
It doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, though, and I expect The Runaway to take note of supportive customer comments and bring coffee up to the standards of their deliciously made tea.