A new pub has opened in Carlisle Railway Station following a £400,000 revamp of a former waiting room.
Scott & Brassey has opened today on Platform 4 and was designed by Lancaster Brewery.
The former first class waiting room, said to been visited by Queen Victoria on several occasions, has had a major refurbishment.
The renovation was carried out by Network Rail, with support from Avanti West Coast, which manages the station, and the Railway Heritage Trust.
Planning permission for the venue was granted last February.
Network Rail said: “The Platform 4 first class waiting room has remained largely in use since it opened in 1880, albeit with a number of changes in how it is operated.
“The most recent operation was as a public house, which unfortunately closed due to its poor commercial offering.
Phil Simpson, owner of Lancaster Brewery, paid tribute to the huge effort by teams of specialist tradespeople working overtime and weekends to get the pub ready.
He said: “Carlisle is an amazing station with a fascinating history. Our aim was to deliver a bar with character and quality that fits with this historic location and gives customers somewhere that feels welcoming and a little bit special.”
Hannah Clarke, Network Rail sponsor, added: “It’s always incredible to see these historic stations which have served their communities for so many years being restored to their best.
“It’s been great to work with Lancaster Brewery on this project, and we would love to hear from other local business owners with ideas on how to make these station spaces work for passengers and the community.”
The name is taken from 19th century author Sir Walter Scott who set many of his stories in Carlisle, and Thomas Brassey, one of the great Victorian railway builders who oversaw construction of the Lancaster and Carlisle railway in the 1840s.
It was fitted out by Network Rail with £350,000 funding from the Department for Transport and £50,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust.
Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of The Railway Heritage Trust said: “We are pleased to have supported the creation of the Scott & Brassey bar with two grants, one to Network Rail and one to the Lancaster Brewery.
“This is a great project which has restored a significant part of this historic station, and which celebrates Thomas Brassey.”
