A brand new £26 million railway station commuters have been waiting months for, will be opening in a couple of weeks - without anywhere to buy so much as coffee.

Rochester’s new station in Corporation Street opens on Sunday, December 13.

Popular kiosk owner Tevfik Toros, who has served thousands of train passengers every week for the past six years has been forced to turn down an offer to move into the new premises.

About 900 people signed a petition in support Mr Toros and his wife Hutch, after they were told they had to put in a fresh bid for the tenancy. But the terms and conditions of the new lease were unworkable.

They are now facing unemployment ahead of Christmas - while the station remains without a coffee shop for the foreseeable future.

A spokesman for train operator Southeastern said: “The lease was offered to Mr Toros who has turned it down.

“We shall now be returning to the tendering process to see who else fits the bill.

“This means there will not be a coffee shop when the station opens.”