Lowestoft Railway Station’s Community Rail Shop and Tourist Information Office has received an upgrade to mark its sixth year in operation with additional space created for printed guides and new displays.
The facility which is run by the Lowestoft Central Project in conjunction with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership serves around ten thousand tourist enquiries each year and stocks a wide range of publicity material featuring local attractions and destinations as well as local rail and some bus timetables.
Run by a small team of volunteers the office also stocks free walking trails featuring historic information for visitors wishing to explore North and South Lowestoft and West towards Oulton Broad.
To support the operation the shop also stocks souvenirs, books, stationery, railway artefacts and to provide comfort for rail passengers, also provides a small catering offer including hot & cold drinks and snacks.
Over two weekends in August, volunteers worked around the clock to install new equipment and reconfigure displays, creating more space for visitors.
Jacqui Dale who manages the facility said, “We are pleased to have been able to reconfigure the shop, creating more dedicated space for tourist information and for displays of souvenirs, books and branded merchandise.
“Proceeds from the shop go towards a number of initiatives including the station floral displays and forthcoming plans to create more toilet facilities and costs associated with our aspiration to reinstate the concourse roof.
“Since undertaking the upgrade, we have received some really positive comments from our regular customers, especially as we have been able to create more space for people to look around.”
During September the shop will once again host the information hub for the towns Heritage Open Days Festival.
The shop is currently open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm daily.
Winter opening is 10.30am to 3pm daily (closed Thursdays, Sunday’s and during January).
To assist in the running of the shop, the team welcome donations of railway and local history books which can be re-sold to raise funds.