Tag: Edinburgh Waverley

Quarterly retail sales jump +10.5% at Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley station outstrips national Network Rail station performance

Network Rail Property has achieved its highest ever quarter of retail sales (Q3 covering October to December 2024) revealing a total sales* uplift of +7% and +7.7% like-for-like (LfL) sales boost across its portfolio of 19 managed stations in Great Britain.  

An increase in like-for-like (LfL) retail sales* of +10.5% at Edinburgh Waverley station, makes it Network Rail’s best performing station outside of London and also taking the top spot for the Scottish stations in terms of LfL retail sales growth.  

Set against the wider retail market, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) tracked a +0.3% increase of LfL sales for the same quarter. Sustained quarterly sales growth at Edingburgh Waverley station underlines the resilience of retail performance at the station and creating an exceptional station offer which is a key part of Network Rail’s strategy to improve the passenger experience. 

During Q3 2024, Edinburgh Waverley station saw the arrival of a new BrewDog offering, as well as a refreshed M&S and Burger King. The station now has a retail occupancy rate of 100%, meaning all 15 retail units are trading.  

During Q3 2024, Glasgow Central also saw significant investment by retailers into stations stores, with recently opened Greggs and Holland & Barrett.

Total retail sales in Q3 reached £240.5m, representing an increase of over £16m compared to the previous year. Additionally, retail sales overtook the previous quarter, jumping by over +£7m. Network Rail’s total retail sales for calendar year 2024 surpassed £900m and for the first three quarters of this financial year, reached £701m.   

For the third quarter in a row, London Waterloo was the best performing destination in terms of total sales growth for Q3. Total sales increased by +24.2% at London Waterloo over the last quarter, with Liverpool Lime Street also sitting in the top five stations after experiencing +11.7% growth.  

In Q3, all five Network Rail regions experienced positive LFL sales performance. Eastern and North West and Central saw the largest regional uptick, with sales increasing by 8% compared to same period last year. In terms of total sales, North West and Central saw the biggest increase at +11% on 2023 levels.  

Diversifying and transforming the retail experience for customers continues to be a priority for Network Rail Property. Carefully curating stations for brand success and continued sales growth demonstrates the strength of Network Rail’s retail strategy.  

Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director, Property at Network Rail, comments: “Our retail offering at Edinburgh Waverley station continues to go from strength to strength and our Q3 sales figures are the highest ever, demonstrating the appeal of our offer. Attracting and retaining brands such as Brewdog and M&S who invest and see the value in our destinations are vital to our continued success in Scotland and giving our customers the best possible station experience.”   

*Retail sales covers retail, F&B and grocery brand sales. 

Launch of Edinburgh Waverley Taxi Zone

This week sees the official launch of a new dedicated taxi zone at Edinburgh Waverley station. It’s the result of a collaboration between Network Rail and APCOA which is designed to enhance the overall journey experience for passengers using the station.

With space to accommodate up to 40 taxis, the facility in the New Street car park is the largest in Edinburgh city centre, offering a dedicated fleet of both hackney cab and private hire vehicles, including people carrier options for groups of up to eight, and standard TX taxis for customers with mobility impairments.

Agents are on standby throughout the station to take specific bookings at no extra cost, and passengers will receive real-time waiting updates if a vehicle isn’t available immediately.

Edinburgh Waverley’s station manager Chris King commented: “We’re delighted to have worked with APCOA to create a dedicated facility within the station area which will be great for passengers, particularly for those with reduced mobility, or those travelling with children, prams or luggage.

“It has also generated employment opportunities for local people and offers convenient onward travel options to those who need it, with the reassurance of either getting a taxi straight away or knowing for certain that one is on its way.”

UK Government announces more staff for Edinburgh trade hub

New trade hubs will channel the economic benefits of international trade directly into Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North of England.

Four major new trade and investment hubs will be established in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the North-East of England to boost trade and investment and level-up the country, the International Trade Secretary will announce today (23 March 2021).

The trade hubs in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and a new second major DIT site in Darlington, will be established as part of a new strategy to boost exports and bring the benefits of the government’s global trade policy to the whole of the UK, including benefits from future free trade agreements with the US, Australia, New Zealand and CPTPP.

They will mean exporters have a direct feed into UK trade policy, and can better take advantage of opportunities in fast-growing markets like the Indo-Pacific region.

The trade hubs will also create a critical link between the regions and the resources of the Office For Investment – a joint initiative with the Prime Minister’s Office – to channel investment money into every UK nation and region.

The trade hubs will be home to teams of export and investment specialists, who can provide businesses with expert support and advice to help them:

  • maximise their export potential and boost their trade in new markets overseas
  • better access major trade markets like India, the US and Japan
  • feed directly into DIT’s free trade agreements programme

The launch of the trade hubs marks the start of a major export drive, which will see DIT focussed on promoting British exports from all parts of the UK, to help level up the country, build back better, and support a resilient economy as outlined in the government’s Integrated Review.

Earlier this month government-led research showed exports support 6.5m jobs across the UK, 74% of which are outside London. The research estimates jobs directly and indirectly supported by exports pay around 7% higher than the national median, with Office for National Statistics estimating that goods exporting businesses are also 21% more productive.

The new trade hubs will also support the launch of high-profile export campaigns due to launch later this year, that will seek to maximise export potential and boost UK enterprise in global markets, following the recent launch of the food and drink export campaign.

Last year, goods exports from the North of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were £98.4bn.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: “I’m determined to use UK trade policy to benefit every part of the UK. These Trade and Investment Hubs will help this country to an export and jobs-led recovery.

“They will mean we can channel investment into all corners of the country, and that exporters – whether they’re selling Scotch beef, Welsh Lamb or cars made in the North of England – have access to the expertise they need to sell into the fastest growing markets.”

550 staff are expected to be present in the hubs by 2025, with an ambition to increase this to 750 staff by 2030.

The existing DIT Hub in Edinburgh, announced in September last year, will see a ‘significant increase in headcount’ (i.e. mair staff! – Ed.) – following its relaunch today.

No Boundaries arrives in Edinburgh

A pop-up exhibition by National Rail, called No Boundaries, which showcases the work of artists living with disabilities arrived at Edinburgh Waverly station yesterday. Continue reading No Boundaries arrives in Edinburgh