Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway reveals plans for new station terminal, ice cream parlour and cafe

These images reveal plans for a new station terminal at one of the world’s oldest miniature railway lines, creating 10 new jobs. 

The proposals for Pleasureland Miniature Railway, which first opened in 1911, include a new fish & chips cafe and a new ice cream parlour. 

The scheme is being led by Supreme Attractions / Southport Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis, with design work by RAL Architects in Southport. 

A planning application has been submitted to Sefton Council.

Earlier this month, Southport Pleasureland submitted plans to construct a large observation wheel next to the Marine Lake, with a bistro, forming a new tunnel, over the miniature railway.

The project is to construct a new train station terminal for the Pleasureland Miniature Railway with a fish & chip café and an ice cream parlour on the site of the Marine Parade Station, next to Ocean Plaza and Southport Pier. 

The site is on the corner of Marine Parade and Marine Drive and known as Marine Parade Station. 

The 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 in Southport, 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.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new entrance for the Pleasureland Miniature Railway next to Ocean Plaza in Southport

“The form of the Ice cream parlour respects the surroundings and takes its form from the flow of people and is shaped as a fourteen-sided polygon with straight sides to the southern corner. There are display windows on all sides.

“There are proposed shutters to all sides of the strain station which will be closed when the station is not in use. The landscaping furniture will be upgrade with periodic benches and refuse bins.

“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.

“The proposal will not harm the setting of the listed pier and will enhance the Conservation Area. The proposal has positive impacts on the street scene and we consider this application should be supported.”

The miniature railway was built in 1911 by Miniature Railways of Great Britain Ltd. It was bought by Pleasureland Southport in 2016.

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