Stations in Lowestoft and Beccles to enter World Cup of Stations

Two Suffolk stations will battle to be crowned the UK’s best loved station.

Beccles and Lowestoft stations are among 48 nominated for the annual World Cup of Stations 2023 this Thursday and Friday.

They join two other stations in the East – Southminster in Essex and Thetford in Norfolk. All four are managed by Greater Anglia.

Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s head of corporate affairs, said, “I’m delighted that four of our stations have been put forward as some of the UK’s best.

“We are committed to improvements at stations to make them attractive and welcoming for passengers.

"We are grateful to our community rail partnerships, volunteers and partners for helping us to put rail at the heart of the community.”

The competition is happening now as this week is Community Rail Week, when the benefits railways bring to residents, the environment and the local economy are showcased.

Community rail partnerships, such as Community Rail Norfolk that worked on Lowestoft’s station, bring together local groups that support community rail.

Lowestoft has seen the development of a community hub in the original station building since 2018 by volunteer-run Lowestoft Central group and Community Rail Norfolk, supported by Greater Anglia. They created a multi-purpose room for exhibitions or meetings, and developed a tourism hub and shop.

Beccles was nominated for its thriving community-owned café and meeting space in the old station building. The community room is available to rent for business gatherings, training days, exercise classes, and more.

Southminster station has the first Men’s Shed in England to be located at a railway station, while Thetford has award-winning gardens.

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “During Community Rail Week, we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales.

“All the stations are making a positive impact on their local community – whether that’s supporting local businesses, being used for a social space or making the local environment better by being more sustainable.

“Whatever they’re doing to make a difference, we want to celebrate.”

The annual competition is supported by by the Rail Delivery Group and the Community Rail Network.

Over 100 nominations were whittled down to 48 by TV presenter Tim Dunn in the competition that was last held in 2019. They now face each other in a series of mini-battles to be crowned World Cup of Stations champion 2023.

Tim Dunn called those who had contributed to the 48 shortlisted stations ‘chuffing ace volunteers.’

He continued: “Remember: like a football World Cup, the winners each day need more and more support. In every battle, it's the one with the most votes that wins!”

Each nominee is from one of 11 regions, including the East, with four bonus stations selected by Tim Dunn.

The station with the most votes from each region will head to the semi-final on May 25, culminating in the final on May 26 when this year’s winner will be crowned the UK’s best-loved station.

The categories stations entered when shortlisting were: creating social spaces, supporting local businesses, education stations, tourism stations, sustainable stations.

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, which supports community rail partnerships, said: “Community Rail partnerships and thousands of ‘station friends’ volunteers the length and breadth of Britain are mobilising en masse.

“They engage local people and partners to raise awareness about sustainable travel by rail, and get people enthused about its many benefits.”

Over 1,200 stations across Britain are supported by station adoption groups, made up entirely of volunteers, that help to make stations welcoming and safe, bring people together and add value to their communities.

Often the work of these groups extends beyond basic upkeep, incorporating community gardening and food growing, local arts projects, workshops and visits with children and young people.

People can vote for their favourite station from the East on Monday 22 May via #WorldCupofStations or @RailDeliveryGrp.