Connex lossis a blow for caterer Elior
The decision this week to strip train operator Connex of its south-central franchise has dealt a blow to contract caterer Elior, which had just signed a deal to run convenience stores at Connex stations.
Elior is creating a joint venture with newsagent and distributor Hachette to run the shops, which will sell tickets and newspapers as well as serving food and drink.
If Connex had held on to its franchise, about 400 stations would have been covered by the agreement. Now there are just 200 stations across the company's remaining south-eastern franchise.
Patrick De Muynck, head of corporate development at Elior, said the make-up of the stores would depend on the size of each station.