Great Western Railway (GWR) has converted the waiting room into a café at Hanborough railway station in Oxfordshire, on the North Cotswolds line between Oxford and Worcester.

The transformation into the Café de la Gare has proved very popular, and highlighted GWR’s commitment to supporting local businesses and investing in improving its stations.

The café used to operate from a snack van in the station car park, but moved into the transformed waiting room in January, where it has become the Café de la Gare.

To celebrate the success of the venture, free coffees and pastries were given to the first 50 commuters to use the station on Friday, 24th April.

Tom Pierpoint, Network Rail and GWR Industry Programme Director, commented that projects like this don’t happen on their own, but are the result of local initiative, strong partnerships and a shared focus on making things better for customers. There has been substantial growth in passenger numbers at Hanborough, and GWR is pleased they have been able to support the opening of Café de la Gare in another significant boost to customer experience on the North Cotswolds line.

 In 2024, a former tea room at Toddington on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway was converted into a new catering outlet with a bar.

“I really loved visiting Café de la Gare when it opened. As a regular user of Hanborough station, it is a warm, friendly, great place to catch up on things while waiting for your train – especially on a chilly winter’s morning. I wish the team all success.”

Witney MP, Charlie Maynard

“Café de la Gare has worked with Amey PC&I and GWR for five years since opening at Charlbury, and the reception from rail passengers has been extremely positive, with many customers returning daily, and a growing number visiting the station simply to buy their morning teas or coffees. This encouraged us to open further outlets at Hanborough, and more recently, at Kingham Station, where our trusty ‘Citroen HY’ van continues to attract rail passengers. The relationship with GWR is very positive, helping to ensure the smooth running of a hospitality business in a challenging market.”

Hugo Pickering, Café de la Post owner