One of the best railway station cafes in the UK has been given its marching orders by Southern Rail UK. The Runaway Cafe sits on the platforms at Lewes Station and has done for more years than most can remember. The late Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, used to order their bacon sandwiches. Based on traditional values, the cafe played classical music and was frequented by the most eclectic mix of sandwich eaters imaginable. Here was its menu. Compare and contrast it with with the other railway eateries and then throw in the constant lively debate and exceptionally friendly atmosphere.
- Fresh vegetable Lasagne served with French bread
- Italian mixed antipasti – meats, cheeses, fish, olives, gherkins, sun-dried tomatoes, breads
- Homemade fish pie cooked in a creamy sauce with a cheese and potato topping served with local bread
- Crispy chicked goujons with a homemade chili sauce accompanied by malted french baguette
Mixed salad as accompaniment to any of the above £1.75
Specials
Soup
- Eat in with roll £2.98, without roll £2.65
- Take away with roll £2.55, without roll £2.25
Jacket potatoes with a filling of your choice:
- Butter £2.98
- Beans £3.48
- Egg Mayo £3.98
- Cheese £3.98
- Tuna £4.48
- Prawns £4.98
- Chili con carne £4.98
Additional topping £0.50 each
Toasted Sandwiches
- Starting from £3.28 – name your choice
Everyone understands that we live in a culture of competitive tendering. The Flying Coffee Bean Ltd has been awarded the new tender. Apparently it offered to refurbish the cafe and sell the locally sourced produce it uses as ingredients, so that the customers can cook with them themselves at home. What’s so great about that? Doesn’t that just take business away from various businesses in Lewes?
The Runaway will cease trading at the end of February 2013. Until then, it promises to be one of the busiest cafes in the country! Afterwards, well, we’ll have to see. Despite having fed and watered the good travellers of Sussex for three decades, the Runaway’s director, Jacqueline Elsey, was informed of the decision by email. She was reported to say, “We’re in total shock.“
An excellent , erudite post that highlights the fact that JE and her lovely team are still in place until the end of February. FCB are muddying the water by claiming they will keep the name (the cafe was named by Jacqueline and her husband many years ago), much of the decor and even the music. That sounds like piracy to me. Repel all boarders!
Several groups are trying to discuss this decision with Southern Railways UK. They are not playing ball so far. FCB have for their part done little wring as yet. All they are guilty of to date is winning the tender and making a crass announcement about how they have Lewes at heart and will preserve the unique essence of the Runaway. The best way to do that is to leave it alone.
The objective must be to restore Jacqueline’s contract. Why? Because over 5000 Lewes commuters put their name to her bid. Southern chose to ignore them. Why boycott FCB if/ when they come in? Because they are trying to assimilate the Runaway, rather like the Borg, into their burgeoning empire. FCB are owned by DP The Food People, a nationwide chain. It’s a clever ruse to have us believe they are small and independent. Sadly for FCB/ DP little old Lewes discovered the Interweb a while back. We can see behind the curtain, Oh Great Oz, and we don’t much like what we see.
Follow @FCBboycott on twitter and look out for posters appearing around the town. There will be handily placed alternatives to FCB when the time comes.
Why boycott FCB? Is that fair?
Perhaps not, but what is the alternative? They are the only facet of the machine we can interact with.we must vote with our feet and spend our money elsewhere. I wish FCB all the very best, just…