' MP Norman Baker will be in attendance at Lewes Train Station on Saturday the 24th of November at 9am to receive a petition collected by the owner and staff of The Runaway which lists public support for them to retain the running of the café at the station.
Southern, who run the station, has decided to put the contract for the lease up for tender in a move that was repeated back in 2010 to much local opposition. In 2010, the move resulted in over 1000 signatures of objection which the MP was due to present to a Southern representative, but at the 11th hour Southern, in a move widely welcomed, did a u-turn and agreed to extend the current lease without putting it back out to tender.
Southern wishes to retender the lease again and is seeking submissions for the deadline of the 29th of November.
Norman says: "I am pleased to be able to accept this petition which I will pass on to Southern. It will no doubt express the strong local support that Jackie and her team have built up over the years.
"Lewes is a quirky town and we pride ourselves on our independently run shops and eateries. This site is no place for a Lemon Tree or a Costa, or worse still a non-taxpaying company like Starbucks. The local independent and quirky vibe that The Runaway has is in keeping with the town and simply must be retained."
Previous press releases:
6th Apr 2010: Lewes MP to present petition to Southern trains over controversial station café plans
8th Apr 2010: Victory as Southern tells Runaway café owners - you can stay
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
