A very good point Jim. When I was made redundant from aviation the first time in 2001 (It happened to me twice that year) I investigated the possibility of opening just such a store at STN in collaboration with a very well known enthusiasts supplier based in Southern England, but I discovered two very big obstacles in my way, both supplied by the good ol’ BAA:
1. Ground footage rental within the terminal is expensive even for the “chains” already there, and the percentage “rake off” from your takings would make items unfairly expensive.
2. The general attitude of the BAA was one where I don’t believe that I was taken seriously and I don’t think that they really wanted a store of that kind “marring” their pristine LoCo shrine.
I investigated other possibilities nearby but none of the premises examined were really up to it so reluctantly I abandoned the idea.
A shining example of what can be achieved for the enthusiast when a local and enthusiastic entrepreneur and a progressive people friendly airport authority get together is the Airtrans shop in the terminal at EMA. I would highly recommend this store to anyone. It is well stocked, always busy with the travelling public as well as EMA employees and aircrew and is a credit to its owner Steve Gensler and the guys upstairs who run EMA, who seem to be very “pro-spotter”. This store was the model that I would dearly have loved to have brought to STN, now that I have resumed my career in aviation maybe someone else will have a go. In the meantime I shall continue to journey the long haul to EMA! p.s No I don’t have shares in Airtrans!
Sign In
