Easons at Heuston Station closed

Beechwoodspark · 02-04-2019 8:53am #1

The main Easons store at Heuston station has permanently closed since last weekend.

I think it has been there since the mid 90s, possibly earlier?

I for one will be sad to see it go. It was a great facility to have in Heuston and will be missed. Great to have a place to browse and buy books there and also special occasion cards etc were available. Helpful and informed staff.

I am surprised it has closed as I often saw it rammed with customers and long queues at the check out.

The smaller easons concession that sells newspapers and magazines is remaining open.

I remember great excitement there one morning when one of the Harry Potter books was released and a crowd of school pupils got off a train and went directly there to buy copies.

Does anyone want to share memories?

Jamie2k9 · 02-04-2019 9:51am

Connolly will follow once M&S opens.

loyatemu · 02-04-2019 9:52am

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Connolly will follow once M&S opens.

is there an Easons in Connolly?

ongarboy · 02-04-2019 9:58am

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Connolly will follow once M&S opens.

Is M&S opening in Connolly too?

In relation to Easons, I remember the major revamp of Heuston back in the 90s when I first moved to Dublin. It really was impressive. In fairness OP, is your comment about queues in the books and gift shop accurate? I always felt that store was much quieter and almost forgotten about whereas the more prominent newsagent outlet was constantly busy with queues.

I probably use Heuston only about 3 times a year now if I choose not to drive home to culchie land but recently noticed the 3 identikit cafes have been replaced by an Insomnia Coffee, Rolling Donut and Street Food cafe. I think that is a better mix as the former cafes all sold the same product. Although, does it mean there is no place in Heuston that now does freshly made up sandwiches? - that would be a loss of choice. I think a Chopped would do great there.

L1011 · 02-04-2019 10:08am

Eason in Connolly is a franchise, it may still survive M&S as it's basically a tobacconist

Beechwoodspark · 02-04-2019 1:48pm

ongarboy wrote: »

Is M&S opening in Connolly too?

In relation to Easons, I remember the major revamp of Heuston back in the 90s when I first moved to Dublin. It really was impressive. In fairness OP, is your comment about queues in the books and gift shop accurate? I always felt that store was much quieter and almost forgotten about whereas the more prominent newsagent outlet was constantly busy with queues.

I probably use Heuston only about 3 times a year now if I choose not to drive home to culchie land but recently noticed the 3 identikit cafes have been replaced by an Insomnia Coffee, Rolling Donut and Street Food cafe. I think that is a better mix as the former cafes all sold the same product. Although, does it mean there is no place in Heuston that now does freshly made up sandwiches? - that would be a loss of choice. I think a Chopped would do great there.

I’d say since the new year it has quietened down but definitely last Christmas week it was mad busy from what I could see. Fair enough it was the busiest time of the year. But other times of the year I’ve noticed it very busy.

One thing I noticed also was they seemed to reduce their stock over the last few years. They also got rid of dvd and cd section. Streaming has hit those products hard I think.

Jamie2k9 · 02-04-2019 8:46pm

L1011 wrote: »

Eason in Connolly is a franchise, it may still survive M&S as it's basically a tobacconist

Possibly but Easons, Two Coffee Shops and the shop down by P5-7. Would be surprised if they all survive. Heuston also lost two coffee shops since M&S however one has been replaced with something different now.

Not sure Connolly has the footfall which will buy snaks before boarding a train unlike at Heuston.

Grandeeod · 03-04-2019 5:24pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I’d say since the new year it has quietened down but definitely last Christmas week it was mad busy from what I could see. Fair enough it was the busiest time of the year. But other times of the year I’ve noticed it very busy.

One thing I noticed also was they seemed to reduce their stock over the last few years. They also got rid of dvd and cd section. Streaming has hit those products hard I think.

Apart from the books, I always loved browsing the DVD and CD sections way back when. Always guaranteed to spot something different. Streaming killed that market alright. It was also a decent spot to pick up a gift at the last minute on your way wherever. The M&S outlet is for the work to bed to work generation. I know people that buy from it 5 days a week as they haven't the energy to cook when they get home. Thankfully my experiences of Heuston station were nearly all leisure travel. A stroll around Easons, a few pints in the Hooker, then the train.

Stephen15 · 04-04-2019 11:56pm

I wonder would WH Smith be interested in opening one of their bloody awful overpriced shops in Hueston that would almost complete the lineup along with M+S in replicating a typical British railway station. Eason's is bad enough as it is.

XPS_Zero · 05-04-2019 8:22pm

They are not very well run as a company and are a total nightmare to work for, it does not surprise me at all that they could not make an obvious gold mine work.

L1011 · 05-04-2019 10:32pm

XPS_Zero wrote: »

They are not very well run as a company and are a total nightmare to work for, it does not surprise me at all that they could not make an obvious gold mine work.

A proper bookshop in a train station is not an obvious gold mine, they are vanishing across the world.

apieceofcake · 05-04-2019 10:39pm

That’s an awful shame that it has closed. Always enjoyed browsing there. Handy if you needed a present at the last minute too! Is it official that it’s closed.....is there a sign on the door?

airy fairy · 05-04-2019 10:48pm

Are both shops closed, wasn't there one across from the other?

Ardent · 05-04-2019 11:43pm

Why would you need a book, magazine or newspaper when you have the internet?

AMKC · 06-04-2019 12:14am

Ardent wrote: »

Why would you need a book, magazine or newspaper when you have the internet?

Lots of reasons. First of they are physical and you can keep them if you want to with no worry of them disappearing or getting corrupted like a file or download on your computer.

Reason 2 Another reason is its nice to be able to just open the pge of a newspaper, book, magazine etc and just read what is there without having to go looking for it.

Reason 3 Its easier on the eyes and more natural to. There is nothing natural about looking at a screen and too much is hard on the eyes.

Reason 4 Maybe some people work a lot on computers in their office and just want to wind down after a day looking at a computer screen and a book is a gret way to do it.

Del.Monte · 06-04-2019 8:31am

Eason's has been running out of control for decades and one only has to look at what they did on Nassau Street (Fred Hanna's) to see that. The station bookstalls seem to thrive when they are independently operated but only time will tell.

airy fairy · 06-04-2019 8:36am

Ardent wrote: »

Why would you need a book, magazine or newspaper when you have the internet?

That's like something my teen kid would say!
Not everyone has, or likes the internet, or can tolerate screen time for an extended period? Besides the other reasons as stated above.

LuasSimon · 06-04-2019 8:51am

I believe shop lifting was a huge issue in that shop so much so it was unprofitable for a finish . Heuston station unfortunately has deteriorated in the past decade with an influx of local scobes and drug addicts and then you have drug mules - addicts landing on trains to buy and traffick drugs back to wherever they came from . Plus like most places these days not enough guards to police the station .

Ardent · 06-04-2019 9:10am

AMKC wrote: »

Lots of reasons. First of they are physical and you can keep them if you want to with no worry of them disappearing or getting corrupted like a file or download on your computer.

Reason 2 Another reason is its nice to be able to just open the pge of a newspaper, book, magazine etc and just read what is there without having to go looking for it.

Reason 3 Its easier on the eyes and more natural to. There is nothing natural about looking at a screen and too much is hard on the eyes.

Reason 4 Maybe some people work a lot on computers in their office and just want to wind down after a day looking at a computer screen and a book is a gret way to do it.

Agree with all that but my underlying point is that the internet and modern mobile devices are impacting sales of print and traditional media. It's a big problem globally, must be a big factor here also.

sweetie · 06-04-2019 9:41am

Ardent wrote:

Agree with all that but my underlying point is that the internet and modern mobile devices are impacting sales of print and traditional media. It's a big problem globally, must be a big factor here also.

And isn't there free Wi-Fi on the trains now too

Beechwoodspark · 06-04-2019 10:15am

LuasSimon wrote: »

I believe shop lifting was a huge issue in that shop so much so it was unprofitable for a finish . Heuston station unfortunately has deteriorated in the past decade with an influx of local scobes and drug addicts and then you have drug mules - addicts landing on trains to buy and traffick drugs back to wherever they came from . Plus like most places these days not enough guards to police the station .

That’s very sad.

There is always a group of “undesirables” hanging around the front of the station. Can be intimidating at times.

Dyr · 06-04-2019 10:17am

Often bought last minute presents there, Easons seems to be in trouble in general

beauf · 06-04-2019 10:44am

Ardent wrote: »

Agree with all that but my underlying point is that the internet and modern mobile devices are impacting sales of print and traditional media. It's a big problem globally, must be a big factor here also.

My kids prefer books. The book shops they go to and libraries seem to busy enough. It's the choices for adults seem to be decreasing.

Books and magazines for very expensive too. Even before the internet took off.

Anteayer · 06-04-2019 4:16pm

They were gold mines and then along came smartphones, tablets and ultra portable notebooks.

I can't even remember when the last time I've seen someone boarding a train with a pile of newspapers and magazines. Whereas even a decade ago you'd often stock up for an almost 3 hour journey.

Beechwoodspark · 17-06-2019 6:17pm

Seems like a Brambles cafe is going in where easons was

There’s a good number of food outlets in Heuston now

Sbarro pizza opened last week as well.

Havnt tried it. My young 1 wanted a balloon from their opening so we went over. Prices v high by the glance look I took.

L1011 · 18-06-2019 8:11am

Del.Monte wrote: »

Eason's has been running out of control for decades and one only has to look at what they did on Nassau Street (Fred Hanna's) to see that. The station bookstalls seem to thrive when they are independently operated but only time will tell.

Where are these independent ones that seem to thrive?

Emme · 18-06-2019 10:31am

I am a regular commuter and find it difficult to read a book on the train because it is so crowded. Kindle on a small screen works better in confined spaces.

One of the reasons it is difficult to read books on the train is because so many passengers are so em... LARGE. The food outlets in Heuston do not help. I am not perfect myself, I have gone from 8 stone to 10 stone in the 7 years I have been commuting and I try to avoid the food outlets in Heuston apart from the coffee shops.

The food sold at Heuston can make the train a really unpleasant place. One place that shall remain nameless sells food that basically smells like it has been eaten before especially the curry chips. If somebody brings food from that place on the train you can smell it 3 carriages down.

Anyone who doesn't want curry chips can get a lovely healthy bag containing 4 doughnuts.

The M&S at Heuston doesn't have many healthy options which is surprising because high street M&S stores do.

Connolly station had a pharmacy the last time I was there. Why can't one open at Heuston? Not just for prescriptions, but for other things pharmacies sell such as handcream, tissues, wet wipes etc.

At this stage Heuston station reminds me of a bovine feeding lot with the shops selling fodder, the trains serving as pens for the "cattle" and regular stampedes for trains when the platform is finally announced after yet ANOTHER delay :rolleyes:

L1011 · 18-06-2019 11:12am

Connolly has more daily commuters to get repeat prescription traffic and it also has the deal to give discounts to staff to replace the old CIE pharmacy

Emme · 18-06-2019 11:27am

L1011 wrote: »

Connolly has more daily commuters to get repeat prescription traffic and it also has the deal to give discounts to staff to replace the old CIE pharmacy

Have you been in Heuston recently?

L1011 · 18-06-2019 12:10pm

Emme wrote: »

Have you been in Heuston recently?

Yes. Whats the relevance of that?

Connolly is a vastly busier station, about 60% more passengers per day - and the % of those that are commuters rather than more infrequent long distance passengers is even higher.

Heuston has long-distance passengers sitting around waiting; hence it has a bigger bar and lots of food options.

Connolly has shorter-distance commuters who are there ten times a week and hence liable to actually use a pharmacy for stuff that legally needs a pharmacy. Wet wipes and tissues are sold in Easons already!

18-06-2019 12:17pm

When I think of Heuston I think of Supermacs and the Galway Hooker if I'm feeling flush.

Tbf, I don't see much of a market from the intending passengers for buying let's say for example model rail magazines.
More likely the desired magazine will be a puzzle book for granny, or an activity book for the 5 year old who becomes fidgety 5 minutes after the train has departed the platform.

Emme · 18-06-2019 12:49pm

L1011 wrote: »

Yes. Whats the relevance of that?

Connolly is a vastly busier station, about 60% more passengers per day - and the % of those that are commuters rather than more infrequent long distance passengers is even higher.

Heuston has long-distance passengers sitting around waiting; hence it has a bigger bar and lots of food options.

Connolly has shorter-distance commuters who are there ten times a week and hence liable to actually use a pharmacy for stuff that legally needs a pharmacy. Wet wipes and tissues are sold in Easons already!

Connolly is a bigger station and is equipped for a larger number of passengers. You make it sound like Heuston is a small rural station of little importance.

People commute from the South and West of the country via Heuston. It is a very busy station and the needs of passengers who pay handsomely to travel to and from there should not be dismissed. These people are also at Heuston 10 times a week and on average travel longer distances than those who travel from Connolly. This means the average Heuston commuter has less free time than those who travel short distances from Connolly. People travel from Kilkenny, Thurles and further 10 times a week to Heuston. If you work for Irish Rail I am not surprised at your attitude because from my 7 years commuting experience regular passengers who travel via Heuston are treated with contempt.

A pharmacy is badly needed at Heuston, there are more than enough fodder outlets there already. We don't get time to exercise properly due to our long commutes so our health is compromised. We need somewhere where we can pick up our heart, blood pressure, anti-depressant, sedative and other medication for conditions caused and/or exacerbated by long term long commutes under less than ideal circumstances. The green ribbon mental health campaign that has been running at Heuston is laughable, the commuting conditions would depress the most upbeat person. I speak from experience, my health has gone downhill all round since I started long term commuting.

L1011 · 18-06-2019 1:01pm

The numbers of people making those commutes is so low (comparatively) that a pharmacy wouldn't be viable. You really don't seem to be getting the point. No other station in Ireland has a pharmacy and indeed its quite rare abroad even - usually the Boots in UK train stations do not have pharmacists in them and sell only general sales list medicines that WH Smith also sell.

Pharmacies are not cheap to operate and the profit margin has dropped hugely. You need a substantial regular prescription base; something Connolly can supply with its much higher regular commuter volume and also the CIE staff agreement.

XPS_Zero · 18-06-2019 8:22pm

There is a pharmacy near Heuston atm. I know it would be easier IN the thing. The Connolly one has saved me a lot of hassle since it opened.
HSQ Pharmacy Heuston South Quarter. Beside Anytime Fitness on Military Road.

Open 9-7 except Sundays.

The Connolly one appears to be tailored to commuters needs though and way more flexible. It opens 7am-9pm Monday-Friday, 9-6 Saturday and 11-6 Sunday.
I'm unaware of any other pharmacy in Dublin that opens that early, even the big longstanding ones in the CC start at 8am.
It's a nice late opening too. Besides McCabes in Dundrum and Swords which I think close at 11, it makes me laugh how these pharmacies all over the city call themselves "late night pharmacies" and then close at like 7pm, leaving their blinking cross thing on even in many cases which someone should tell them is meant to mean you are open.

By it being IN the station too you'd save a lot of time than diverting by car or foot to one nearby, you could have your script or OTC items in 5 min or less and be off.

There is a Boots with scrips in Euston station in London but that's the size of station you'd need, it's ENORMOUS, it has a tube station and a major intercity station under the same roof so it has the traffic to support that.

I honestly don't see how another food outlet in Heuston is needed it does seem very superfluous. Wheras Connolly needs one badly. In a rush to get an Intercity a few times I've gone over to the Coffee bar place to pick something out and it's very limited, those packed sandwiches are never the same as a fresh one, and the outlet beside the pub has an even more dull selection.

Emme · 18-06-2019 11:59pm

L1011 wrote: »

The numbers of people making those commutes is so low (comparatively) that a pharmacy wouldn't be viable.

Check out the crowds between 6am and 8am at various rural stations going to Heuston and you might change your mind. A good proportion of those crowds are regular commuters. You must be stuck in the 1980s when it was possible for working people to buy a house in Dublin.

Stephen15 · 19-06-2019 12:07am

Emme wrote: »

Check out the crowds between 6am and 8am at various rural stations going to Heuston and you might change your mind. A good proportion of those crowds are regular commuters. You must be stuck in the 1980s when it was possible for working people to buy a house in Dublin.

I think s/he is merely pointing out that a lot more people are using Connolly for commuting than Hueston as more are using the DART network, Maynooth, Northern and now PPT trains to Newbridge and Hazelhatch (which are taking more daily commuters out of Hueston) than are commuting from Hueston.

L1011 · 19-06-2019 7:40am

Emme wrote: »

Check out the crowds between 6am and 8am at various rural stations going to Heuston and you might change your mind. A good proportion of those crowds are regular commuters. You must be stuck in the 1980s when it was possible for working people to buy a house in Dublin.

More irrelevant nonsense.

The actual number using Connolly is vastly greater.

Emme · 19-06-2019 10:20am

Stephen15 wrote: »

I think s/he is merely pointing out that a lot more people are using Connolly for commuting than Hueston as more are using the DART network, Maynooth, Northern and now PPT trains to Newbridge and Hazelhatch (which are taking more daily commuters out of Hueston) than are commuting from Hueston.

Not all commuters from rural Ireland who use the train lines going into Heuston change at Newbridge. Quite a few go all the way into Heuston and get a bus or Luas to their place of work. Or they might cycle or walk. I'm not arguing that there are more commuters in Heuston than in Connolly but in my opinion there are enough regular commuters to justify a pharmacy IN Heuston station.

Strumms · 19-06-2019 10:24am

Not everyone wants to read a book too. You could just pick up your favorite magazine, a gift or two etc.

For Forks Sake · 19-06-2019 10:46am

Ardent wrote: »

Why would you need a book, magazine or newspaper when you have the internet?

Three words: Irish Rail Wifi.

(also coverage blackspots along the lines if using 4g)

Beechwoodspark · 22-06-2019 12:15pm

I personally would love to see easons reopen it was a great little asset/gem to the station. And the staff were really good.

Maybe a pharmacy counter could be part of the easons store? At the back maybe or at either of the two sides near the front which were slightly forgotten about when easons had it.

I can’t see brambles adding much to the station offering. Maybe I’m wrong?

XPS_Zero · 24-06-2019 10:32pm

Does anyone know when the new place in Connolly is opening? and is it just that one store?

Hilly Bill · 01-07-2019 10:38am

XPS_Zero wrote: »

Does anyone know when the new place in Connolly is opening? and is it just that one store?

M&S arnt going into Connolly, Starbucks is going in at the corner with an entrance outside with tables outside which will be nice for the beggars and junkies that hangaround out there. Fallon and Byrne is going into the new build where the booking office used to be. O'briens sandwich bar is going in at the corner by easons.

Emme · 01-07-2019 10:59am

Hilly Bill wrote: »

M&S arnt going into Connolly, Starbucks is going in at the corner with an entrance outside with tables outside which will be nice for the beggars and junkies that hangaround out there. Fallon and Byrne is going into the new build where the booking office used to be. O'briens sandwich bar is going in at the corner by easons.

Rip out Supermacs in Heuston and replace it with Fallon & Byrne - the cleaning costs of trains would drop dramatically.

tabbey · 01-07-2019 3:35pm

Emme wrote: »

Rip out Supermacs in Heuston and replace it with Fallon & Byrne - the cleaning costs of trains would drop dramatically.

It would not!

Passengers would have to bring food from somewhere else. Nobody could afford Fallon & Byrne.

Emme · 01-07-2019 4:32pm

tabbey wrote: »

It would not!

Passengers would have to bring food from somewhere else. Nobody could afford Fallon & Byrne.

I agree that not everyone can afford Fallon & Byrne but it would be a short walk from St Pats if the consultants want to get out for a bite to eat and for the big shots in the HSE office across the road.

In the meantime a hang sangwidge or similar made at home is a lot less messy or smelly than greasy takeaways. If someone brings curry chips onto the train and is eating them in carriage A you can smell them in Carriage F.

XPS_Zero · 01-07-2019 6:03pm

Hilly Bill wrote: »

M&S arnt going into Connolly, Starbucks is going in at the corner with an entrance outside with tables outside which will be nice for the beggars and junkies that hangaround out there. Fallon and Byrne is going into the new build where the booking office used to be. O'briens sandwich bar is going in at the corner by easons.

They will just have to make it plain right off the bat (via security) that it's not their personal hangout unless they're buying stuff there. If they get hassled constantly while in the first few weeks trying to set up a presence they won't bother.

I always forget that's an Easons, since I see no books there, God they were so horrible to work for like really really awful....
I like the idea of an O'Briens they will TOTALLY clean up I'm telling you, the sandwiches on offer are terrible in the other places. Ether the lettuce is wet and slimy or they have that horrible rocket stuff that literally looks like someone pulled leafs from a hedge and stuffed them into the sandwich. I don't understand how anyone would wanna eat those, and the thick stalk that comes with them. I bought what I thought was a chicken and stuffing once in the pub bar and it had lettuce in it, urgh...horrible. Proper O'Brians collection will make a fortune, gimme a stars n stripes bagal on toasted poppy seed bun any day over something with thick slices of cucumber, Tomato thicker than a concrete wall (ever hear of baby tomatoes or thin slices people?) and hedge leaves in it.

There is nothing worse than the smell of food you don't like or when your stomach is queazy.

I got onto a DART the other morning, my liver drugs and antidepression meds were making my stomach churn, I felt green. I wasn't able to eat my usual post-gym breakfast, so I had an empty stomach. One of the side effects of drugs I use can be higher stomach acid, and it was burning and churning. I get on the DART and there are three different people eating really smelly foodss. One was some kind of indian concoction out of a box, very pungent, one was fish n chips with curry of some kind and the third looked like something abrakebabra but looked like the meat had been sitting on the spit since I was in primary school before being put into the roll. I had to go to the next carriage to avoid puking (literally).

I'm just looking at F&B's menu...everything looks really nice.

As to cost the main meals are very pricy like €17...and bruschetta are glorified tomato biscuits so I'm not sure they are worth €10

They don't seem to sell sandwiches, though maybe they'll have a menu for Connolly? a special new Connolly only sandwich menu? offering things O'Brians does not, that could work out.
It appears they'll not be competing directly for business, I imagine all the DIT and Trinity students and whatnot would be going to OBrians cost wise (except the more loaded D4 boys and girls who would go to both), since they offer very different things and I can see different people going there. The more money conscious but still wanting quality will do O'Brians.

I can see a lot of the new rich/new money set who work in the glass towers in Dublin CC loving the salads and whatnot F&B will be offering, esp the ones telling themselves they're going to eat right and work out finally this year!

Hilly Bill · 01-07-2019 6:22pm

Starbucks will have to get their own security.

Beechwoodspark · 01-07-2019 6:25pm

Anyone know when brambles are due to open in Heuston ?

I’m just angry/let down that easons couldn’t have remained open but with a cafe to one side or down the back. Even a joint venture with brambles or fallon and Byrne.

That would require ppl thinking outside the box though so no chance ...

L1011 · 01-07-2019 6:28pm

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Anyone know when brambles are due to open in Heuston ?

I’m just angry/let down that easons couldn’t have remained open but with a cafe to one side or down the back. Even a joint venture with brambles or fallon and Byrne.

That would require ppl thinking outside the box though so no chance ...

If Easons wasn't working out shoving a food counter or a pharmacy counter or whatever other bonkers idea you have in to it wasn't going to save it

Easons have cafes and franchises in other stores - they will have evaluated everything. Bookshops are dying and station bookshops are dead.

Beechwoodspark · 01-07-2019 6:29pm

L1011 wrote: »

If Easons wasn't working out shoving a food counter or a pharmacy counter or whatever other bonkers idea you have in to it wasn't going to save it

Why bonkers????

Easons have 2 -yes 2!!- separate food offerings in their O’Connell st branch. Coffee shop on ground and full blown cafe on 3rd.

And also a record shop leasing the 3rd floor.

Not far fetched to say do similar in Heuston. A cafe or pharmacy would clean up.

Wow. Such “far out” thinking. Bonkers indeed ?!

Easons at Heuston Station closed

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