8th Sept 2020 – Official Opening of Morpeth Railway Station 

Widely regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian railway architecture on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh – was given a new lease of life, making it fit-for-purpose for 21st Century train travellers.

Led by Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) a partnership of the National LotteryNorthumberland County CouncilNorth East Rural Growth Network, the Railway Heritage Trust, and track and train operators Network Rail and Arriva Rail North, a £2.3 million scheme was funded to repair, restore and redevelop the station.

The station was designed by Benjamin Green, one of the great pioneering railway architects of his day, for the Newcastle & Berwick Railway Company and opened in 1846.

The scheme converted empty rooms in the main station trackside building into a bespoke enterprise centre providing accommodation for up to 7 small businesses.

The work was carried out by contractors STP Construction from Rowlands Gill with architects Curtis Architecture and Napper Architects who designed the station improvements, and it was completed in late Spring 2020 and officially opened in September 2020.

As part of the improvements a cafeteria and modern toilets have been provided, while the ornate portico has been restored as a feature entrance to the station. A number of large chimney stacks which helped give the station its unique character, have been restored. Below is photo taken March 2020 with project nearing completion:

17th March 2020 – New Taxi office 

The scheme included the delivery of new Taxi offices, accommodation designed to be placed in look-alike carriages. Covid-19 and the lockdown thwarted the premises being taken up – in April 2023 we are looking forward to the new Taxi business starting up.

4th March 2020 – Completed Interiors

The scheme revamped the interior of the building with new Café, new Ticket office and 8 separate business units.

New Ticket office and Waiting room

Café

 

Business Units

27th Feb 2020: Station completion

7th Feb 2020 restored fireplaces