Connex has spurned Spar and Costcutter as it launches a new convenience chain at its stations in the south east of England. The French rail operator plans to develop 40 sites in the next three years after successful trials in Leatherhead with Spar and Cooden Beach, East Sussex, with Costcutter. It is investing £15m and has signed a deal with leading French caterers Group Elior and Paris based Hachette Distribution Services for the retail project. The first two stores, a mix of convenience, news and refreshments, are due to open this summer at Eltham and Gillingham, in Kent. The fascia is being kept under wraps. But Costcutter and Spar have been kept in the dark about the Connex plan. Jamie Davison, Costcutter regional manager said: "Connex made no mention of this at a meeting we had last week. "We were led to believe that everything was going very well with our store in East Sussex." Steve Blakemore, head of retailing at Spar, believed Connex was planning to extend its relationship. The pilot Spar concession which opened last March, brings in £5,000 a week, excluding rail tickets. Connex's estate stretches from south east London to Tonbridge Wells and Hastings. Connex will retain the south east rail franchise until 2009 but is transferring its south central business, which expires in 2003, to Thameslink operator Govia. The current Costcutter and Spar formats sell grocery items, hot and cold food, a range of national rail tickets and incorporate a waiting area, cappuccino bar, self-service ticket machines and toilet facilities. {{NEWS }}

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