INDEPENDENT businesses now make up three quarters of retailers at South Western Railway (SWR) stations, as the number of these small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grows across the network.
While many stations still boast recognisable brands, such as a recently opened branch of Pret a Manger at Richmond station, independent retailers have seen the highest growth over the past five years.
There are 60 additional active businesses since the end of the pandemic, as SWR has sought to relet premises as customer numbers have recovered, for commercial or community use.
Many of these retailers are coffee shops, bakeries and other eateries, providing a convenient range of food and drink options for customers on the go.
Of the 243 active retailers at SWR stations, 179 are independent SMEs, supporting hundreds of local jobs in London and the South of England, and generating tens of millions of pounds of revenue.
Lauryn Turner, whose new coffee shop, The Bean Stop, opened at Hook station in Hampshire on Saturday 10 January, said that she “wanted to create a place that feels like more than just a coffee stop – somewhere people can enjoy great products and great service. Hook station felt like the perfect location to make that happen.”
The latest additions to the SWR network also include:
- Alfie’s Burgers & Brownies at Tolworth station in Greater London has quickly become a local favourite. It features hearty comfort food, served from early morning to late evening.
- Salisbury station now boasts a Gourmet Coffee Bar, offering speciality coffees, artisan sandwiches, and seasonal salads from morning until late evening every day.
- Café Destino, with its range of hot and cold drinks, pastries and snacks is now open inside Winchester station.
- Sereen’s is a new coffee outlet open seven days a week for artisan coffees, teas, and pastries at Isleworth station in South West London.
Mobile coffee operators have opened at New Milton and Southampton Central stations in Hampshire and Christchurch in Dorset, while Fleet station in Hampshire is now home to a mobile florist every Wednesday and Thursday.
As of the start of 2026, there are 13 further retail units available, from Wimbledon to the Isle of Wight, with more opportunities for independent businesses on the SWR network.
The expansion of independent retailers ensures that stations are not only transport hubs, but also thriving commercial and community spaces, often sitting at or near the centre of local areas.
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at South Western Railway said:
“The encouraging growth of independent small and medium-sized enterprises across the network provides our customers with an even wider range of food, drink and other products to choose from.
“These businesses also add local character and charm to our stations, while offering a familiar smile and a great service.”
Ian Chalmers, Principal Surveyor at Amey PCI, acting for South Western Railway, added:
“We’re delighted to have supported these fantastic businesses in joining the South Western Railway network.
“Each new opening adds real value for passengers and local communities, creating vibrant spaces that make stations more than just a place to travel through.
“With even more openings planned this winter, and in the spring, it’s an exciting time to be part of this transformation.”
These figures do not include some larger stations served by SWR but co-managed with Network Rail, such as London Waterloo and Clapham Junction.
Research by WPI Economics suggests that, across Britain, railway customers contribute £9 billion to independent businesses every year, and over £23 billion to high streets.
