Why does Newry Train Station not have a Café?

A Newry.ie reader has contacted us to ask why Newry Bus Station can have a successful café but not Newry Train Station. The reader who doesn't wish to be named (name supplied) contacted Translink to ask about the possibility of them outsourcing a cafe to buy a tea or coffee at the station.

They explained: "With the hourly train to Belfast and Dublin it is a lucrative business opportunity for a small local business, especially the 6:50am train to Dublin which sees easily 100 commuters" adding "If the bus centre can have a successful cafe why can’t the train station?"

The reader also highlighted  the upstairs 'viewing gallery' that appears to be permanently closed to the public.

When they contacted Translink a spokesperson said: "Ancillary facilitates at stations depend on size, location, passenger numbers and facilities available at the station.

"A coffee shop, café or food outlet is not a standard railway-station facility in UK. These are generally commercial amenities provided where there is sufficient demand and where the operator or station owner considers them appropriate."

Newry.ie also contacted Translink asking why there is no Cafe/ Shop facility at Newry Train Station like that at Portadown and other stations and if there is any plan to put such a facility in place. We also asked why the viewing gallery is seemingly always cordoned off from the public.

In their reply they didn't give a reason for the lack of such a facility rather saying: “We remain very receptive to opportunities that enhance the customer experience at Newry Train Station."

They also explained that the station offers vending machines for customer convenience.

Regarding the upstairs space they also didn't answer why the area upstairs is closed to the public, instead saying: “The area upstairs in Newry Train Station is used as a conference/meeting room and community space.”