Leamington Spa Station is a grade II Listed Building with four operational platforms. The station is managed by The Chiltern Railway Co. - footfall is circa 2.8 million.

The northbound platform (2) had a previously unloved 1930’s GWR café, with an expansive back of house.  The unit has seen little to no investment over recent years, with many of the original features hidden by more a modern decor. In the aftermath of COVID, an opportunity arose, enabling Chiltern to surrender the previous Landlord and Tenant protected lease.

The unit was stripped out by the previous tenant and tendered to the open market. There was quite an urgency to the process, to renovate and open the new café for customers visiting the station for the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Of the 6 viewings, Amey TPT received 5 bids for the unit.  Following careful analysis of the bids with our client and discussions with the preferred bidders, Centenary Lounge were awarded the new opportunity and opened in time for the CWG.

• Centenary Lounge took up the challenge to refurbish the unit to the 1930’s art deco style, and engaged with the Friends of Leamington, the Local Planning Team and the Heritage Trust to understand what could be achievable, given the tight constraints. A substantial fund was awarded from the Railway Heritage Trust and a complete renovation was undertaken to restore the unit to its former 1939 glory.
• The renovation has transformed the dull café. The works included:
• wooden cladded counters and walls were sanded down and restored
• wooden flooring was removed and the existing mosaic tiles were repaired and taken back in time
• open fireplace was restored
• rewiring and art deco lights were put up
• a feature window which was previously covered by a stainless steel plate and coffee machine, was exposed and made good allowing natural light into the unit
• renewal of wooden counter top
• glass shelving put back into the rear bar as original
• walls repainted and limescale added
• general decoration and repairs