BUSINESSES in Stratford are being urged to get on board with plans to revamp the town’s railway station.
London Midland and Warwickshire County Council have secured £750,000 to transform the station and recently teamed up with Business Supporting Stratford.
They are now asking organisations and businesses to get behind the redevelopment of the station by providing financial support.
Under the current proposals, a new glass entrance, booking hall and accessible toilet will be created while there are plans to improve the waiting areas, and provide a new café and retail area.
But with backing from local businesses, council chiefs say further refurbishments can be carried out at the site.
County council transport spokesman, Peter Butlin, said: “The station is a major gateway to a world class tourist destination.
“It is the first impression almost a million people get of Stratford as they use the station each year and the improvements will make a big difference.
“Warwickshire County Council is committed to investing in the county’s transport infrastructure and I’m delighted we are able to contribute to delivering these improvements by working with London Midland and Network Rail.
“However, there are further enhancements that can be made to the scheme currently proposed, but we need to secure some extra funds.
“We’re hopeful some of Stratford’s major players will want to get involved.”
London Midland’s Head of Route, Brenda Lawrence, said: “The public reaction we have had so far has been very positive.
“There is a real opportunity for businesses to get on board and help us push this iconic landmark to the next level.”
And Coun Phillip Johnson, chair of the county’s communities overview and scrutiny committee, added: “Residents will see the value of these changes, which will make the Stratford Rail Station a more enjoyable and lively place to be.
“We understand how important it is to make sure the rail stations in our region are the greatest they can be and I welcome the work London Midland will be undertaking towards realising that in Stratford.”
Any business interested in supporting the scheme is asked to get in touch by October 31.
The station is expected to reopen following the refurbishment by December 2016.
Visit http://www.supportingstratford.co.uk/Default.aspx?id=670608 for further details.
