The station’s café has been nominated as one of the best businesses on the UK railway network
A café at Bowes Park Station is vying to be voted Britain’s best railway station business.
Leafy Bean Café is one of 48 contenders in the World Cup of Stations, with the competition’s theme this year being “the businesses that make stations vital community hubs, driving local economies”.
The annual competition is organised by the Rail Delivery Group on behalf of train companies, and celebrates the importance of rail and its role in supporting communities, businesses and the economy.
Leafy Bean is described as “a real hidden gem” on the Hertford Loop Line operated by Great Northern, offering specialty coffee, bagels, and pastries. The venue also serves as a hub for events like pop-up food experiences, quiz nights, wine tastings, and cocktail evenings.
Owner Laura Monk said: “We have so many different community groups visiting Leafy Bean to use our meeting space and drink our coffee – we are really proud to be at the heart of the Bowes Park community as well as providing commuters with their morning coffee.”
Southgate and Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous, who recently visited the café, said: “It is fantastic to hear that Bowes Park Station has been nominated to take part in the World Cup of Stations. The station community have created a wonderful hub to send passengers on their way, and to welcome them home.”
Voting for the first round takes place on Monday 14th. If Leafy Bean and Bowes Park make it through, there will be a semi-final on Thursday 17th and a final on Friday 18th. The winner will be announced on Monday 21st.
Jenny Saunders, customer services director at Govia Thameslink Railway which operates Great Northern, said: “Our station businesses are part of us and the communities we serve. We wish every one of them shortlisted for this exciting contest all the very best!”
Last year’s competition saw over 72,000 votes cast across twelve heats, with Wemyss Bay Station in Scotland taking the crown. It has been running since 2019 and other previous winners include Stourbridge Junction (2021), Glasgow Queen Street (2020) and Huddersfield (2019).
This year, stations from all over the UK will compete, showcasing the best local businesses that make our train stations more than just places to catch a train.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Local businesses in stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities they serve, and we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales.
“All of the stations nominated are making a positive impact on their local community, and the variety of businesses at stations is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, as well as the importance placed on supporting local businesses.”
Martin McTague, national chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Railway stations up and down the country are home to a huge range of small firms, serving their local community, regular commuters and day trippers on a daily basis. These businesses contribute such a lot to our local economies and are a great source of employment.
“Not only do railway stations house an array of businesses, they are vital for providing visitors with easy access to local high streets, upping footfall and fostering trade. This competition is a great way to shine a light on the excellent and varied small firms based in and around transport hubs across the UK, showcasing the products and services they have to offer.”
Find out more and vote for Bowes Park on Monday 14th:
Visit raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations
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