St Pancras Proffers Bratwurst to Lure Germans Through Tunnel

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) German bratwurst and Hugo Boss suits are set to vie with croissants, camembert and other French staples in shops at London’s Channel Tunnel terminus as the station prepares for direct trains from Cologne and Frankfurt.

Eurostar Group Ltd. has been operating to Paris and French- speaking Brussels for 16 years, giving St Pancras International a distinctly Gallic air. That will change in 2013 when Deutsche Bahn AG adds the new routes, while Eurostar itself aims to reach Germany a year later and may also serve Amsterdam and Geneva.



St Pancras is already reviewing its retail lineup ahead of the influx as it seeks to maximize returns for HS1 Ltd., which paid 2.1 billion pounds ($3.5 billion) for a 30-year concession including the station last November. Wendy Spinks, the company’s head of revenue development, said the aim is to adapt shops to the evolving passenger base while persuading people to part with more cash by creating an airport-like shopping experience.

“Bringing in Deutsche Bahn adds to the international mix,” Spinks said in an interview at the Searcys Champagne Bar which overlooks the station’s continental platforms. “We really try to cater to all our audience, as well as to create an environment where people are tempted to make impulse purchases.” ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-16/st-pancras-pits-bratwurst-against-brie-in-german-friendly-revamp.html