CHIPPENHAM MP Michelle Donelan has officially opened the new Hub Café at Melksham Railway Station.
She was invited by TransWilts community rail partnership to open the café on Saturday (May 1).
The café will be available to the whole of the Melksham community not just rail passengers using the increasingly busy station.
It will offer a place for passengers to eat, drink, chat while waiting for a train.
Sophie Martin, TransWilt’s community rail officer, said: “We can’t wait to welcome you to the community Hub Café.
“We have completed the restoration of the interior with a new kitchen and a new toilet with disabled facilities installed."
TransWilts is encouraging community groups to use the café's outside space for activities and events.
Its chairman Paul Johnson said TransWilts has spent around £30,000 on the refurbishment of the former plant hire depot.
Up to £100,000 has been invested in making Melksham station fit for the dramatic increase in passenger numbers over recent years.
He said: “Our passengers will be able to go in a buy a cup of coffee while they are waiting for a train, and we are providing a building which can be used by the local community as well.
“This is the culmination of several years’ work and we are delighted to deliver this project with help from the local community and parish council.”
Project sponsors include Melksham railway systems manufacturer Knorr-Bremse, and Great Western Railway through its major projects fund, with further support coming from Melksham Town Council, and Wiltshire Council’s Melksham Area Board and the Community Rail Partnership.
Future plans include recruiting more volunteers to help run the café, and bringing out parasols, tables and seating when the weather permits the outdoor piazza area to be used.
TransWilts hope local community groups, such as the Melksham Book Club and the local Alzheimer’s Support day club, will use the café and its outdoor area.
They are keen to see the new facility being used for community events to help breathe new life into the station area.
In 2011, Melksham station was used by only 11,000 commuters but since then passenger numbers have increased dramatically.
The Melksham Hub now serves more than 75,000 rail commuters who use the station to get to Chippenham, Swindon, Trowbridge,Westbury and beyond.
Mr Johnson added: “With a community population of 30,867 we expect a substantial growth in passenger usage of up to 450,000 by 2026.”
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