please empty your brain below
Is it a security concern? Are they places a terrorist could plant a bomb if they got hold of a set of vending keys?

More likely the company lost the contract to one who is paying TFL twice as much.

Matt | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 9:18 a.m. | #

Bird flu has caused a chocolate shortage? (particularly creme eggs - got to be dodgy in these end times). Panic now.

Disgruntled | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 10:10 a.m. | #

Like Matt I suspect a suspected terrorist threat. Not from bombs but from poisoned choc.... (bizarrely I'm not joking).

All reputable food producers and sellers nowadays have systems in place to work out where their products could be most easily be adulterated.... a vending machine in a toob station seems like a pretty soft target.

NiC | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 10:21 a.m. | #

I bet Osama's already planning his conquest of the UK via strychnine-laced Fruit & Nut bars.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 10:34 a.m. | #

Oh excellent, I'll be able to buy Mr BW a modern choc machine to go with the antique one he already has in his workshop. Keep your eyes peeled for places selling redundant ones, will you, please?

Blue Witch | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 10:42 a.m. | #

I think Matt and NiC have got it with the suspected 'potential' terrorist targets.

If not, perhaps there is a dispute between TfL and the company who run the machines maybe?

The Girl | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 10:50 a.m. | #

Blimey...paranoid times indeed.


I (am proud to) admit I haven't been on any suburban ramblings since last weekend - but I distinctly recall from then that, whereas those machines in stations actually underground (deep underground (can't remember about the Met line, etc) were "out of order", and had been for several days, those in stations on the surface were open for business as usual.

(Get to Dollis Hill to get your Fruit and Nut!)

Either this means someone at LU has been lackadasical in shutting of the machines or whatever is at issue is either (a) related specifically to central london (e.g. possible contractural issue?) or (b) related specifically to machines in relatively enclosed spaces.

(personally - I am inclined to favour theory 4 about electrical faults, but who knows?)

Call in Sherlock Holmes?

Venichka | 26.02.06 - 11:43 a.m. | #

I think the contract for running the machines has been given to another company, so this is probably the interchange period between two suppliers.

I'm sure I saw something about this somewhere a few months ago. Possibly in Private Eye?

James Mitchell | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 11:48 a.m. | #

It only struck me this morning that they were all out of order - hopefully there isn't loads of chocolate stuck in there going off...

Inspector Sands | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 12:01 p.m. | #

Has anyone actually checked they are out of order? It could be a group of wags going out with badly punctuated home made signs to severely piss off the chocoholic communter crowd.

Huw | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 2:31 p.m. | #

Further research (conducted this afternoon at Tottenham Court Rd station, machine no. 190):

• The machines are the property of Cadbury Trebor Bassett Vending Solutions.
• If you have a problem with the machine you are asked to ring 0800 2232879 (0800 CADBURY)
• If you dial that number, an automated female voice apologises that you've "encountered a problem with one of our vending machines on the London Underground", then invites you to leave your name and address for a refund. This does not appear to be a new message.

So, still no clues...

diamond geezer | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 2:52 p.m. | #

I reckon they still work but the people who supply chocolate upstairs put the notice on to increase trade. Or people who feel sorry for tourists losing their coins put them on as a public service.

Debster | 26.02.06 - 2:55 p.m. | #

Well, this afternoon, the machine on the southbound Jubilee and Met line platform at Finchley Road (above ground) has no notice on and is switched on, apparently working as normal (and with no "out of order" notice in place)

The ones I've seen below ground over the last couple of weeks(Bond Street, Chancery Lane) with notices on have definitely been switched off as well.

...

Venichka | 26.02.06 - 3:30 p.m. | #

I have to say my main concern now is (as Inspector Sands sauggested) that there may be chocolate inside which is going off. We need answers now!!!

NiC | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 4:10 p.m. | #

Another theory for you...

Maybe people above ground are eating too much chocolate and there is not enough remaining that is about to pass its "best before" date to keep the machines supplied.

Stop eating chocolate and give the underground people a chance.

Alan | 26.02.06 - 4:22 p.m. | #

All of the chocolates have been diverted to the U.S. under a new policy from Dubya. Ours, it's all ours.

SportyChick | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 4:29 p.m. | #

Don't worry folks. Ken Livingstone will personally be fixing each and every broken machine during his 'time off'.

ellie | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 4:57 p.m. | #

There should be a full stop after "order" and thus "sorry" should have an initial capital letter.

I have clearly spent far too much time proof-reading tedious documents and need a holiday.

Deborah | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 5:00 p.m. | #

could it possibly be a food health and safety issue

the underground as you may well know DG is positively crawling with meeces and they love chocolate to pieces (and they can also squeeze through the tiniest of gaps) - maybe they have been growing fat on the contents of the chocolate machines?

steve | 26.02.06 - 6:41 p.m. | #

Having solved the UK's most crucial issue - WH Smith's selling chocolate oranges - this is obviouly David Cameron's next target.

Invicta | 26.02.06 - 7:14 p.m. | #

It's a conspiracy of course,

stroppycow | Homepage | 26.02.06 - 7:48 p.m. | #

Apparently something happended to one machine which led to the conclusion they have a fault which might constitute a fire risk. I think they've only been withdrawn from stations that are wholly or mainly below ground - so-called 'Section 12' stations.

Kim | 26.02.06 - 8:48 p.m. | #

hi there,

one question, how come you don't have this ad thing on top of your page. i mean the "next blog showing part". i am so trying to figure out, how i can do the same. is there a paying version of " blogspot "?

thank you for your time

muzza | 26.02.06 - 8:59 p.m. | #

Clearly the machines have found themselves in the midst of the Bad Grammar Gang Wars. Tha Typesettin' Thuggz have claimed them from Da Crazy Commaz, and are so proud of their victory that they aren't going to let anybody have at them.

Alexandra | Homepage | 27.02.06 - 1:26 a.m. | #

I'm guessing you have already heard it, but check out the cover of 'London Underground' by Adam Kay and Suman Biswas. It veru succintly expresses how most Londoners feel about the tube, broken chocolate machines and all.

Sophie | Homepage | 27.02.06 - 3:27 p.m. | #

I thought maybe they had installed new machines that with great planning would take another month to be commissioned.

To be honest I hadn't noticed the chocolate machines for years until they went out of service.

Gert | Homepage | 27.02.06 - 9:42 p.m. | #











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