‘Herculean effort’ required to ensure funds are in place for Middleton Towers railway station revamp

The group restoring the Middleton Towers railway station needs to “urgently” raise £5,000 by the winter to keep the project on track.

The Middleton Towers Restoration Group has released another update on its work at the dilapidated station, which it hopes to revamp and convert into a visitor experience featuring a tearoom.

It was recently successful in its application for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding via West Norfolk Council, unlocking £30,816 to install two brand new roofs to the platform buildings.

Now, group founder Alex Brammer has said: “We are in a position now where we urgently need to raise at least £5,000 before this winter.

“This will be for the internal works on the buildings, including new flooring, skirting boards, plastering etcetera.

“We currently have £1,798 in the bank, with a further £1,000 ring-fenced to cordon off the entire site with suitable fencing.

“Approximately £2,100 is required to renew our public liability insurance, which runs out this June 30. Our bank reserves will cover the majority of this.

“I have received the unfortunate news that it is unlikely that the second wave of Community Infrastructure Levy applications will open this summer, meaning that this potential source of funding is closed off until at least the winter.

“We are boosted by the fact that we are supported by the Railway Heritage Trust, who have kindly committed 40% towards the current roofing and canopy works.”

Mr Brammer added: “However, we are going to need a Herculean effort to ensure we have the funds to get on with the internal work once the roofing and canopy are in place. We simply do not have the funds right now to be able to do this.

“Given the unpredictably of the station as a result of its condition, further unexpected costs may be incurred as we need to make sure the buildings are 100% ready to support a tea room function.

“A water and electricity supply will cost around £10,000 total by my estimates and this will not be possible with crowdfunding.

“I will work as hard as ever to apply for the appropriate grants. This particular work is not eligible for a Railway Heritage Grant.”

We’re on the right path, but we are going to need as many people as possible to chip in.

“We simply need to get the word out far and wide, which is why I am announcing a low budget but effective marketing campaign, consisting of flyers and posters at high-traffic sites and emails and telephone calls to businesses to request sponsorship.”