Cafes in Nottingham Station are facing the knock on effects of the rail strikes this week. It comes after millions of passengers are facing delays and cancellations today (21 June), Thursday (23 June) and Saturday (25 June) as rail workers go on strike.
The RMT Union announced the industrial action over pay, job cuts and conditions with tens of thousands of members taking part, including everyone from guards and signallers to catering staff and cleaners.
Nottingham has seen strikes affecting services to the city with staff from East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry and Northern taking part. It has meant less passengers are travelling through the doors of Nottingham Station and in turn, affecting local businesses.
Read more: Nottingham rail passengers 'worried' over this week's rail strikes as customers told not to travel
Director of Gourmet Coffee Bar and Kitchen Nick Garnell said: "We are expecting a huge impact on sales, down to 20% of a normal week. We are ready potentially to close if it is just too quiet."
Gourmet Coffee Bar and Kitchen have a stall in the entrance of the station and is usually open everyday of the week from 5:45am on weekdays. Costa Coffee also have a stand in Nottingham Station and have already changed their opening times because of the strike.
A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “We can confirm the Costa Coffee store at Nottingham Railway Station will remain open but will operate with slightly reduced hours on the 21, 23 and 25 June. The store will be open from 7am to 5pm.”
East Midlands Railway are only operating one train per hour from Nottingham to London, Derby to Nottingham, Leicester to Nottingham and Nottingham to Sheffield. All other lines are closed with no replacement buses offered.
The sparse running trains on strike days will only travel between the hours of 7:30am and 6:30pm. Will Rogers, Managing Director for EMR said: “We are extremely disappointed the RMT have decided to strike on the 21, 23 and 25 June. This is the wrong decision for the railway and communities we serve.
“There will be changes to our normal timetable and some parts of our network will have no train services on strike days and other lines will have a reduced level of service. I would urge all customers to think carefully about their journeys next week – and make alternative arrangements if possible.”
Northern Rail and CrossCountry are not operating any trains on strike days from Nottingham. Passengers have also been told to only travel if absolutely necessary every day this week.
