Bucks fizz plan for station

Rebuilding part of Norfolk's once-thriving criss-cross of railways has proved thirsty work for a team of enthusiasts, who now want to open a bar and offer Bucks fizz breakfasts from their reopened station.

Whitwell and Reepham Railway Preservation Society (WRRPS) has applied to Broadland District Council for a premises licence for the former Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway (MG&N) station.

Once a stop for steam trains on the line between Melton Constable and Norwich, it had been shut for 50 years until earlier this year, when it was reopened. Now the group wants to be able to do more, from selling alcohol in a bar in the station building to showing films and having live music on the platform.

Mike Urry, who bought the station - now run by a charity - said: 'When the last train

went out 50 years ago it was played off by a brass band on the platform.

'We want to be able to have a brass band to play when we are able to run track back into the platform.'

Steam and diesel engines already run at the site every weekend, but on what would have been the sidings. The group is working at getting a track back into the actual platform.

It was hoped to open a griddle car that would offer food and drink and start running corporate events, said Mr Urry.

The licence application also seeks consent to let them show historic or nostalgic films about railways, play music at special events and put on plays. There are also plans for a Santa special and a breakfast passenger service offering Bucks Fizz, according to the application.

Opening hours would be 8am to 12.30am, Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 1.30am Friday and Saturday, being extended on New Year's Eve, it says. Some objections have been lodged amid concerns about potential noise and light pollution.

The proposals are expected to be discussed by Broadland's licensing committee today.