In a partnership between train operator Southeastern and a local community in Kent, a railway station building that had been disused for over 30 years has been transformed into a new community space.
The former ticket office and booking hall at Hollingbourne railway station near Maidstone in Kent had lain empty and unused for 32 years. In an 18-month-long collaboration between train operator Southeastern, the Kent Community Rail Partnership, the Railway Heritage Trust, and Hollingbourne Parish Council, the building has been refurbished to create a dedicated space for the local community, the first of its kind in Kent.
At a recent open day, the residents of Hollingbourne had the chance to view the result of the refurbishment. The 250 visitors also had the chance to give their views on the future use of the space by filling in questionnaires with their suggestions.
It is hoped that the refurbished building will be officially reopened later this year. The project is keen to hear from community groups who would be interested in using the space, or from residents who would like to work with the project as a volunteer. All enquiries should be sent by email to thestationathollingbourne@gmail.com.
The Railway Heritage Trust assists operational railway companies in the preservation and upkeep of listed buildings and structures, and in the transfer of non-operational premises and structures to outside bodies willing to undertake their preservation.
Matthew Fraser, Community Relations Manager at Southeastern, said: “The positive reaction from local residents to the transformation of the empty ticket office and booking hall has been amazing. It reflects the hard work by everyone involved to bring this building back into use for the benefit of the community.
“Over the coming weeks we work with local people to develop a plan for its future use, whether that's as a community shop, cafe or space to host meetings and events.”
How big is the space, and is it set up /equipped to allow presentations (folding seating, suitable power points for a brought-in projector, pull down or permanent screen/white wall, curtains/blinds, ideally a simple PA with an permanent installed T-loop system–bring your own mikes/sound inputs)
It’s fantastic to hear that finally after 3 decades an empty building has been given a new lease of life. I’ve even been past it on the train myself multiple times. Now all we need to do is Try doing it for countless other empty buildings up & down the country sitting going to rack & ruin. How about at least allowing them to be used for the homeless to sleep in, obviously not too many but surely it wouldn’t really hurt. After all & i say this trying to think ahead none of us know what lies ahead & who would want to be homeless & left out on the streets in the cold, wind, rain, snow not to mention all the abuse they can get while all the time there’s buildings sitting epmty that could at least get them out of the worst of it. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. What a wonderful thing it would be to do too.