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Pub to return to listed railway waiting room

Federica Bedendo
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
Network Rail/Seed Architects The empty waiting room is long and narrow. It has a bar on the right of the photo and large, almost floor-to-ceiling windows on either side. The walls are painted white, with some red features. The high vaulted ceiling is painted white with some arches painted in a dark colour as a feature. There is a large fireplace at the end of the room and three people are standing in the empty space.Network Rail/Seed Architects
In the 1960s, the space at Carlisle station was used as a refreshment room for first class passengers

A pub is due to return to the former first class waiting room of a city's railway station.

The Grade II listed room at Carlisle station was recorded as hosting Queen Victoria on a number of occasions.

It is currently used as a storage room and kitchen, but had been used as a pub in recent years.

Network Rail confirmed work would start next month to refurbish the space, including creating a mezzanine level.

The waiting room, which is on platform four, was built by architect William Tite in 1880 as an extension to his original 1847 neo-Tudor station designs.

It retains the character of the time, including prominent original fireplaces.

John Huggon/Network Rail A black and white image from about the 1960s of the former first class waiting room at Carlisle railway station. A number of people are sat at tables covered by gingham cloths. Two people are standing at the bar on the left. The building has vaulted ceilings painted in white, with some of the wooden structure visible. Large pendant lights hang from the high ceiling.John Huggon/Network Rail
Queen Victoria was recorded to have used the waiting room

The work is part of the Carlisle Gateway project - a £27m government-funded plan to redevelop the station into a transport hub.

Court Square will be pedestrianised and Lawson's Monument will be moved as part of the scheme.

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