Bedlington railway building to become heritage cafe after £582,000 funding boost

The project will be led by East Bedlington Parish Council and involve restoration of the last remaining Victorian railway building, which has been closed since 1964, on the southbound platform of Bedlington Station railway station.

It will transform the historically significant structure into a welcoming, accessible café, and a thriving social and cultural hub for the community.

The scheme was made possible after the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal approved £582,000 in funding through their Borderlands Place Programme.

This is a ten-year £21m investment programme focused on growth in seven key towns in the county, including Bedlington. It includes up to £3m investment for each town funded by the Borderlands Growth Deal and the County Council combined, which can be matched with other funders too.

The remainder of the funding will come from the Railway Heritage Trust (£175,000) and East Bedlington Parish Council (£40,000).

Work is set to get underway in early Spring next year and is due to be open by the Autumn.

Council leader and Borderlands Partnership board member Glen Sanderson said: "It's fantastic news that this beautiful historic building on the Northumberland Line can once again become a focal point for the local community.”

Jenny Tindale, parish clerk at East Bedlington Parish Council said: "The heritage cafe will provide a new community asset and social hub, creating much needed employment, training and volunteering opportunities.

"Its distinctive identity, building on and telling the story of the town’s important industrial and rail heritage, will provide a great reason for people to visit and spend time in the town, boosting the local area.

Local county councillor Roger Spriddell said: "This is great news for Bedlington and the surrounding area.

"I know the Parish Council has worked hard to get the project to this stage and I'm sure it will be a great asset both for the town and those that use the Northumberland Line."

Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: “We are pleased to support East Bedlington Parish Council with a grant award of £175,000 for their project to restore the disused former station building at Bedlington.

"We welcome their commitment to preserve the railway heritage of Bedlington and the former Blyth and Tyne Railway.”