Tube stations to be turned into mini-shopping centres; work to start this year

Tube stations are to become mini-shopping centres, complete with cafes and virtual supermarkets.

London Underground chiefs have earmarked space currently used for ticket offices for their expansion into the retail trade. Due to the rise of Osyter cards, ticket offices see less use these days.

“We are looking at how we might improve the environment and services offered at our stations while improving the journey experience and supporting the wider communities in which our stations are located,” said Mike Brown, London Underground’s managing director.

Among the stations set to be included in the first lot given the retail-revamp are Baker Street, Embankment (pictured), Harrow-on-the-Hill, Old Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and South Kensington, with conversion work likely to start this later this year.

Small branches of supermarkets – like Tesco Metro and Sainsbury’s Local – are thought to be high on the list of candidates for the shopping centres, with commuters offered the option to buy goods ‘virtually’ before it is delivered to their homes.

There is also likely to be a version of ‘Amazon boxes’ where online shoppers can arrange for stuff to be dropped off in secure lockers at stations.

Meanwhile, taxi users can carry on internet shopping, too, thanks to a sponsorship deal for 225 cabs signed with Microsoft.