I think Labc is correct. If the company is not being taken over as such, it is simply the lease of company a expires, so company b takes over the space, don't think it will apply. But as above, I am no expert.

The OP said

Which implied to me that the shop might close, or at the very least change hands. The invitation for tender, which had a deadline dated start of July, backs this scenario up.

OakR, actually my (limited!) understanding is that if the job stays the same and there is a seamless transfer of role then TUPE can apply. I was imagining that the old leaseholder would probably want to close the premises before a new one took over so a break in contract would occur.

Belated welcome to TrypF :-)

A transfer of a lease isn't the same as the sale of a business so TUPE will not apply ie it is the lease being sold, not the business. But of course there is nothing to stop the new business taking on Dave or Dave applying to them to take him on. I doubt a boycott would have any effect - people want coffee Dave or no Dave.

Personally I never use it - trains too crowded to manage a coffee and stand etc. And frankly better coffee available at the far end, should I want it.

Obviously it is in everyone's interest for London Overground to maximise all supplementary sources of income and this is such a one. I doubt they are doubling the rent but it is probably, within the terms of the lease, being increased.

Looks like LOROL are playing on the fact that the area has gentrified in the last decade: 'an increasingly popular residential area'.....'many of the shops ....have been upgraded'........

I have a feeling Dave's coffee is cheaper than Costa etc. - isn't it £1.80 rather than about £2.20 for a cappuccino at Costa or even somewhere found on stations like Delice de France etc.?

Costa and Delice De France both sell abysmal coffee

Yeah, I find most coffee chains do!

I much prefer to buy one at Dave's kiosk but am so often in a terrible rush.

it seems to me that Dave would be an asset to the new owner.

I have been TUPE transferred 4 times and the first transfer came as a complete surprise to my former employer!

Obviously, I need to know the complete circumstances to form a considered opinion.

Aren't most of the coffee booths at the stations on the line between here and London Bridge actually not the standard chains but smaller one-off type operations? I can't see that Starbucks, Costa etc will see that there is enough turnover at a station to make it viable - trade nosedives after the morning rush-hour.

To be honest, given how hopeless the actual train service is a lot if the time now I have no confidence that the operators have any concern about providing a decent service or atmosphere on the trains themselves, let alone on the platform. I get on at FH so I don't know the stall in question, but agree with those who want to see a local enterprise survive rather than the introduction of a chain.

Don't know whether its worth getting the MP involved? Closure of small local businesses is a story politicians often keen to avoid.......just saying.

No, the name of the small independent chain has gone from memory, but I think they operate the coffee stands on the platforms at FH and Brockley.

I had a word with Dave, and he said he's not that interested in working for a chain, which would mean probably in tandem with someone else, staying within multiple pointless customer service guidelines. I get the feeling he may have done such work before, and I can't say I blame him for not wanting to join the 'anycakesorpastrieswiththat?' brigade. Good luck to him anyhow, in whatever he does.

the best is if the stall is on the platform. I always want to get down there sharpish.

ah but then if you are travelling south you cant use the stall as it'll be on the other platform

Well, it was the last day today. We wished Dave all the best. Let's see what follows.

Hey this is dave the coffee shop guy, I just wanted to say thankyou to all the customers past and present. You've made such a positive difference to me, I can honestly say that these last few years working in HOP station has been the happiest period of my life. I've made so many new friends I can't begin to count them, and I'm gonna miss seeing you all in the morning so much. Thankyou for your concern, and an especially big thankyou to the user who quoted Oscar Wilde in this thread. There is literally no higher praise.
Ciao for now...

All the Best for the new venture, Dave - we'll miss your cheery banter and great coffee at the station! Hope it all works out well.

Cherio Dave, wish you all the best. I can still remember when I first noticed you behind the counter, you always gave me such a big smile and hello, at first I thought I knew you. I rarely bought coffee..always running late and rushing for a train, but always the best customer service when I did.

I know! he can get a job at Costa/Starbucks

Just has to wear a maroon or green jumper in to work instead

...i'm just kidding of course Dave. All the best mate!

This post was last modified: 18-11-2014 04:44 PM by dad_jokes.

Bye Dave. You will be greatly missed, it was always a nice way to start the day with a smile, coffee and chat!!