Virgin Trains help preserve home grown business in Preston

Preston’s independent business community took to the train station platform as part of Small Business Saturday, to promote their wares at Virgin Trains’ largest POP-UP event to date.

Derek Jones, owner of home grown business Heritage Kitchen Range of Preserves was invited to take part in Saturday’s event as part of his ongoing relationship with the Virgin Trains’ nationwide POP-UP scheme, which will soon see him supply his range of chutneys and marmalades to Virgin Trains for on-board food services.

"Being a part of Virgin Trains’ POP-UP scheme has given us the opportunity to reach a whole new audience and in the New Year we hope to expand this further by having our preserves used on-board the trains themselves.”

Nicola Griffiths, POP-UP Business Manager at Virgin Trains, commented: “Small Business Saturday was a huge success. We were able to really showcase the local talent and produce of the areas in which we operate. "Supporting local businesses means that Virgin Trains cannot only give something back to the community but also improve the services at stations up and down the country. The POP-UP scheme allows commuters to sample the local culture and works to connect the country by more than just travel routes.”