SSP launches Café Local

SSP has launched a new travel-focused café and retail store concept called Café Local, which has been developed for UK regional rail stations.

The first 15 Café Local stores have opened at stations around the country, including Fratton, Exeter, Reading, Dover and Sheffield, and the flagship store has recently opened at Peterborough station. 

Plans are in place to roll the brand out across the UK over the next few years and a further 15 stores are planned to open in the next 12 months. Customer reaction has been hugely positive, and sales have exceeded expectations.

The development of the Café Local proposition reflects the requirements of regional railway stations, where there are often limited outlets for passengers and staff to shop. Café Local offers a one-stop shop for barista coffee, a selection of cakes, bakes, paninis and toasties, and a wide range of retail goods including confectionery, sandwiches, cold drinks, alcohol and travel essentials that will meet the demands of passengers travelling through the station at any time of day.

The design of the Café Local stores includes feature graphics of the local skyline, with a modern and blue and yellow colour scheme. Community boards where local groups and clubs can showcase events or provide relevant information to local passengers are also available. 

Kari Daniels, CEO SSP UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to upgrade our regional rail offer with the new Café Local brand, which is already proving to be a success with customers. With one-stop convenience, Café Local meets a broad spectrum of customer needs under a single roof, and we very much look forward to opening more outlets in the coming months.”