Exciting proposals for a new Victorian-style train station terminal for the Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway, with a fish & chip café and an ice cream parlour have been given full steam ahead!
Sefton Council has approved a planning application to enhance the popular attraction, one of the world’s oldest miniature railway lines.
The new development will create 10 new jobs.
The scheme will be built on the site of the Marine Parade Station, next to Ocean Plaza and Southport Pier.
The project is being led by Supreme Attractions / Southport Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis, with design work by RAL Architects in Southport.
The miniature railway was built in 1911 by Miniature Railways of Great Britain Ltd. It was bought by Southport Pleasureland in 2016.
It is among a number of exciting new schemes being developed by Southport Pleasureland.
This summer, Southport Pleasureland had planning permission approved to construct a large observation wheel next to the Marine Lake, with a bistro, forming a new tunnel, over the miniature railway.
Planning permission has also been granted for a new Viking adventure golf and eatery, which is due to open next year.
The Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway features a route of 1,500 yards (1.4 km) between the Marine Parade Station and Southport Pleasureland.
The original station building at Marine Parade was completely rebuilt around 2010 but was demolished in 2019.
The application, by RAL Architects, says: “The proposed is to erect a new terminal station with a (Fish & Chip) Café and an Ice Cream Parlour with associated landscaping in Victorian style taking its reference from the adjacent Pier.
“The train terminal is to be located at the end of the railway tracks with the two shops to the north west of the site. The Cafe runs along the Southport Pier facing towards Marine Parade.
“The Train station will be operated by Southport Pleasureland and the opening times will match those of the theme park. Both shops will have opening hours from 10am till 12am (midnight) and will have 10 full-time employees.
“The application considers this to be a significant improvement of the Lakeside Railway for Southport Pleasureland and will provide a draw for all people visiting the town.
“The Lakeside Railway has been contributing significantly to Southport’s reputation and leisure offer since 1911 and has become a well-known feature of the Marine Lake area over the years. The Marine Parade station will benefit from the redevelopment which sits on the prominent corner of Marine Parade and Marine Drive.
“The proposal gives the Lakeside Railway an appropriate entrance from Marine Parade which also will contribute to Southport’s leisure offer and create employment.
“Furthermore, the Victorian style and thoughtfully designed volume connect the site with the recently refurbished shelter on the Southport Pier.”
In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said: “Local Plan policy ED8 ‘Southport Seafront’ allows for development of ‘new or improved visitor attractions’ so long as they would not be detrimental to the historic and landscape character of the Seafront or its function as a regionally important centre for tourism.
“It is clearly evident that the new miniature railway station plus the ice cream parlour and cafe will provide for improved visitor attractions.
“The provision of visitor facilities to this location is consistent with the prevailing character of this area consisting of a mixture of tourism, leisure and retail functions and in this matter the proposal is acceptable.
“There aren’t any nearby sensitive receptors that would warrant limitations being placed on the hours of operation or noise from the premises, particularly given the opening hours of neighbouring commercial uses.”
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