A young local entrepreneur has officially opened his first coffee shop at Andover station, bringing new life to the station’s historic building and expanding the range of food and drink options available to passengers and the local community.

The new café trading as Route has been launched by Rhys Saville, marking his first business venture. The opening follows a carefully managed approval process, as Andover station is a listed building, requiring additional consents to ensure the character and heritage of the station are protected.

The unit has been sensitively brought back into use, with proposals designed to respect the historic fabric of the station while delivering a high-quality, contemporary offer for station users.  The shop focuses on great-value barista-made coffee and a small selection of complementary food, aimed at serving both daily rail users and the wider town.

Speaking about the opening, Rhys Saville said:

“Opening my first coffee shop at Andover station is a huge moment for me. I grew up locally and have always wanted to create something of my own that serves the community. Working within a listed station building meant taking extra care, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the space come back to life and start welcoming customers.”

The project demonstrates how historic railway buildings can continue to support small businesses while retaining their architectural significance. The new coffee shop now provides a convenient stop for passengers travelling through Andover, as well as a welcoming destination for local residents and is another example of South Western Railway enhancing their customer offer.