Eurostar travel-retail tender launched at St Pancras

Gavin Lipsith

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Incumbent Alpha Retail vies to retain contract as Eurostar moves from Waterloo to St Pancras station. London & Continental Railways (LCR) says it is in “advanced discussions” with duty-free retailers vying to run the tax-free outlet at Eurostar’s new UK base London St Pancras station.

Alpha Retail, which operates the tax-free concession at Eurostar’s current home at Waterloo station, has submitted a bid to retain the contract. Several unnamed bidders have also expressed an interest in the concession.

The retail offer in the Eurostar departure lounge will feature all tax-free categories, with particular emphasis on fragrances. The winning bidder will also run two additional tax-free outlets at stations along the UK Eurostar route, where fragrances will also make up the core offer.

The Eurostar will make its first journey from St Pancras on November 14 2007. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will then be renamed High Speed 1.