Shawford Railway Station: Platform 1 cafe opens after £350,000 refurb

Visitors to Shawford Railway Station will now be able to while away their waiting time at a community cafe called Platform 1. 

The £350,000 project has been designed by Romsey-based ep projects and coordinated by Hampshire Community Rail Partnership in collaboration with contractor Avon Construction.

The building required extensive renovation after it lay unused for 40 years.

A special event was held last week to unveil the work. 

Gary Wilburn, managing director of ep projects said: "The public support and positive response to the completion of this regenerative community focussed project has been overwhelming and we wish Marco Bertacchini and his team every success with Platform 1”.

Community groups are welcome to use the facilities and take advantage of the space and community kitchen.

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As the spring weather arrives, use of the outdoor seating area is expected to be popular with locals, cyclists, and walkers.

Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership as part of Hampshire Community Rail Partnership worked with South Western Railway, Railway Heritage Trust, Winchester City Council, Cross Country Trains, and South Downs National Park who all awarded grant funding to enable the project to go ahead.

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Nick Farthing, Chair of HCRP said: “Colleagues and volunteers as well as ep projects, Avon Construction and Marco have tirelessly worked to get the project completed and we are delighted to now have Shawford as an example to all as to what can be achieved. We hope to continue this good work at other sites in the region and wish to thank all involved."

HCRP and ep projects are working together with councillors, the community, and supportive organisations to raise funds for the regeneration of several other community projects.

These include Woolston Signal Box in Southampton where work is hoped to start very soon and Romsey Station, for which it is estimated £1m will be required to regenerate and repurpose the building.

Following a well-supported public presentation and consultation last year, proposals for Romsey Station are to be further discussed with the community to determine the most appropriate use and purpose for the space once complete - and work is currently underway to reopen the Station Café kiosk at Romsey rail station.