September 3, 2018 4.08 pm This story is over 66 months old

Major Market Rasen station revamp complete

The Victorian building has had a £700k refurbishment
The station will open its doors once again.

A major £700,000 project has restored a neglected train station in Market Rasen and turned it into a heritage attraction with modern facilities.

Since closing two decades ago in 1997, the landmark Victorian building had fallen into disrepair.

It had stood empty for 21 years before it was bought at auction for £50,000 by a Lincolnshire construction company in 2015.

Now after a £700,000 transformation of the Grade II listed building, the station will be showcased on Saturday, September 8.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided £535,600 towards the completion of the project.

The Lindum Group bought the station at auction.

While the station will no longer serve as a waiting room for passengers, it will now operate as a heritage centre and community space.

A new cafe will open at the station called Platform 2, while commercial units will be operated by a Lincolnshire shipping company and a start-up.

Emma Wardell chaired the restoration project and said: “The station is fondly remembered by so many people in the town and has been languished for too long.

“It is so rewarding to see this heritage asset being brought back into sustainable use.

“The heritage room tells the story of how significant the station was to the town and brings to life some of the characters who have worked here.”

The Victorian building has had a major restoration.

Lindum Group, which owns the station, will be leasing the finished building to the Market Rasen Station Community Project for the next 25 years.

Lynn Ritson, stations facility manager at Lindum Group, said: “As a Lincolnshire business, which employs local people, Lindum has an interest in helping to save important community landmarks.

“The project has become a labour of love for the construction team. It has been very rewarding to see it transform back into its former glory.”