A plan to convert the disused waiting room at Hale Station into a café/restaurant has been approved by Trafford Council.
The historic building, which was opened in 1862 and given Grade II listed status in 1977, will become a 24-seat café/restaurant, four seats fewer than Network Rail had originally hoped for in its original application.
The works will include the installation of two glazed doors and a window within existing openings on the platform side, as well as the refurbishment of two existing windows on the Ashley Road side.
It will also require the removal of two sections of internal wall, the erection of a new partition wall between the proposed kitchen area and disabled toilet, and other “internal alterations”.
The original application stated that the work “would upgrade and improve the visual appearance of the station, and restore some of the historic features”, adding that Network Rail “understands the importance of approaching these works with care, to ensure that any works at the station do not detract from its listing, or the character of the station itself”.
Following its designated listing in 1977, an amendment eight years later divided the station into separate listings – one including the “east platform, waiting rooms and canopy”, and the second encompassing the “west platform building, canopy and signal box”. The footbridge comes under a separate listing.
Warrington-based property services company BE Group are acting on behalf of Network Rail, while Winsford architects AB Architecture have drawn up the plans.
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