The deserted and dilapidated goods shed at Frodsham Railway Station will be resurrected into a vibrant community and enterprise space.
Following two years of discussions and community events to develop ideas for its renovation, Cheshire West and Chester Council has offered social enterprise company Frodsham Foundation a 25-year lease of the building.
Profit generated by the venture will be reinvested in mentoring and enterprise expansion initiatives, as well as community facilities and start-up grants.
Formerly used for storing cattle and general agricultural produce from surrounding farms before or after carriage, the goods shed dates back to the late 1800s.
Network Rail sold it to the borough council which used it as a depot for road sweepers and refuse collection vehicles but it has stood vacant for the past three years.
Executive director of Frodsham Foundation Kate Dodgson said: “It’s been a long slow process but now, with the offer of the premises, we are finally in a position to proceed.
“As a result of the community events held earlier this year in conjunction with the University of Chester , the plan is to create a multi functional space supporting both enterprise and community together in a centrally located, easily accessible building to form an attractive and welcoming gateway to Frodsham and the surrounding area.
“The building will signpost visitors to other attractions and businesses in and around the town to boost tourism, create local employment opportunities and develop skills.”
A participatory consultation process was held in partnership with the University of Chester in February to discuss how the shed can be utilised for the good of the town.
Frodsham Foundation - which formed in 2012 to support and promote innovation and enterprise for the benefit of the community - has issued an open call to architects and designers in the North West to translate the ideas discussed by the focus groups into architectural plans which will be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Submissions will be shortlisted and displayed for a public vote.
Cllr Lynn Riley has welcomed the ‘fantastic’ news and said the Foundation wants to capitalise on a concept similar to that of Montague Cafe in Ellesmere Port , set up by community interest company Access 3 Training and Employment this summer.
The coffee shop provides training opportunities for young people looking to work in the catering industry and is licensed for musical events.
“I think it will be awesome to have a space people can use for community activities,” she said. “If you think about the great news regarding the Halton Curve , the dynamic around the station is very different now.
“I wonder how many people wouldn’t need to commute if there was a venue locally where they could work and access community activities.
“You can start to see how it will support local residents for the better and give people local options that they haven’t got.”
Cllr Riley, a director of Frodsham Foundation, added that the council is taking steps to improve Frodsham’s parking situation.
“It is absolutely critical that we get more capacity before the Halton Curve is reinstated,” she said.
- Architects and designers wishing to be involved should contact Kate Dodgson by emailing kate.dodgson@frodshamfoundation.net.
