Published at 14:22, Friday, 06 January 2012

THE bosses of a children’s funhouse based on a railway station platform are to open a café for train users.

Jeff Farrow and Gillian Peet opened The Zone in the former Buffers nightclub at Ulverston Railway Station in late 2010.
The funhouse already sells food and refreshments and the level of interest from rail passengers gave the couple the idea to provide a café for train users.
South Lakeland District Council’s planning department has granted them permission to make a new entrance on to the station platform and create the café.
The café will have a small seated area and serve between 7am and 6pm each day.
A Network Rail spokesman said he was unaware of any dedicated café on the station in recent times.
Mr Farrow said: “We have so many people coming in asking if we can do takeaway coffee. So we thought, why not make a designated area where they can wait as well? We’ve been in touch with Network Rail and TransPennine Express and they’re in favour of it.
“We thought we could actually benefit the station users as well. That’s the idea and we thought it’s another string to our bow.”
Derek Faulds, chairman of Furness Line Action Group, said: “It’s a really good idea. It will make the station more user-friendly and, according to the plans, it’s open from early in the morning into the evening.
“It’s good for commuters and I’ve been in the children’s play area with my grandkids and they sell nice food and coffee. It will be well used and the people of Ulverston will be grateful for it.”
A Network Rail spokesman said the couple had gone through the correct procedures and sought approval from Network Rail, as landlord, and TransPennine Express, as station operator, before the application was submitted. He said: “Certainly, as far as Network Rail is concernedwe welcome any proposals that improve facilities for passengers and I am sure a refreshment outlet would be of considerable benefit to everyone using the station.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk