Cycling social enterprise put wheels in motion for former railway station

A former railway station near Manchester is set to get a new lease of life as a cycle-friendly cafe, bar and co-working space.

Social enterprise, Station South CIC, are undertaking the restoration of Levenshulme South Station, creating a space for ‘sustainable community-based business and enabling a positive cycling culture to flourish for people in the locality.’

The Station South team, together with building owners Railway Paths Ltd and supported by the Railway Heritage Trust and the Architectural Heritage Fund, have now started the first phase of restoration after 15 months of planning.

The original Levenshulme station was built in 1892 and sits on a prominent position on the A6, Stockport Road in Levenshulme. It is currently in a poor state of repair and needs extensive restoration to return it to its former Victorian splendour.

They are hoping to capitalise on the cycling boom in the UK, as the building is located over the popular cycle and walking route ‘The Fallowfield Loop,’ which is managed by Sustrans and is a former railway line and one of the UK’s longest urban cycleways.

Pauline Johnston, director at Station South CIC said: ‘After a period of development work, significant investment into the shell of the building has been made by Railway Paths Ltd. This has been kindly supported with a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust to bolster critical repair.

‘These initial restoration works will ensure the building is saved from further deterioration, make it watertight and preserve the existing heritage features of what is a great example of Victorian construction and craft. We’re incredibly proud of achieving a good level of repair and investment for the building so far.

‘We hope the presence of good food, good coffee, good beer and a unique venue to co-work, create, play and learn right on the Fallowfield Loop will encourage more leisure cycling as well as provide a friendly, ethical and community-driven new option for locals.’

Andy Savage, executive director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: ‘The Trust has had long experience of restoring semi-derelict railway stations. We are delighted that Railway Paths Limited, in conjunction with the Station South project, has taken on the restoration of the building, which will reveal many of the fine features that have been hidden away for almost 50 years. We are also delighted that this plan includes a long-term sustainable use for the building, avoiding the risk of it falling back into dereliction once more.’

The first phase of restoration has begun on site and building works will be overseen by heritage specialists JBH Property Consulting Ltd.