Rail commuters contribute billions of pounds to the economy annually through purchases of coffee, gifts and haircuts in and around train stations, a report has found.
Train passengers spend £23 billion across high street stores each year, research commissioned by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) showed.
Some £9 billion is spent at independent businesses, the report said, as passengers spend an average of £32 in and around stations.
“Up and down the country, we’re seeing networks of small and medium businesses and independent companies thriving in and around train stations,” RDG head Jacqueline Starr said.
Train passengers typically spend £19 on local high streets, alongside £7 in stations and £6 at surrounding shops.
Those travelling for leisure spend the most, at £35, followed by commuters and passengers on business trips.
WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) and Upper Crust owner SSP Group plc (LSE:SSPG) are among the biggest retailers in train stations, with the former reporting in September that sales across such hubs had jumped by 10% in its most recent financial year.
SSP added this month that a reduction in disruption from rail strikes had fuelled a 12% uptick in sales over its latest quarter.
“If more people choose to travel by train in the future, we can only expect to see a stronger ripple effect, giving a further boost to local economies,” Starr added.
Shares in SSP ticked up by 3.2% on Wednesday, as WH Smith climbed by 0.3%.