Micropub opens cafe at Albrighton train station
Commuters at a village train station can now enjoy some rush-hour respite after a micro pub opened a cafe on site.
The Platform Ale House, at Albrighton railway station, is running a month’s trial to see if there is enough demand from residents and train users to make the cafe a permanent fixture at the pub.
Customers can now choose from a range of breakfast options and hot drinks - including bacon rolls, porridge, teas and coffees - and can also collect lunch rolls for later in the day.
Managed by local lady Jessica Bowrin, the café is currently just open during the working week from 6.15am to 10am, but these hours may be extended if there is enough interest.
The trial run will end in the first week of March.
Alison Taylor, who runs the pub with her husband Craig, said: “Albrighton is a very busy station in the mornings with many locals heading to Birmingham, Wolverhampton.
"At the moment, there are no facilities whatsoever for commuters…not even a toilet they can use.
“This is all going to change with our café now offering a welcoming place to wait for trains, whilst you enjoy the warmth of a log fire, great tasting coffees and some tasty breakfast rolls.
"We have even become the first business in the village to register for the Free Water Refill scheme, which means you can have you water bottle refilled here…just ask!
"When we made the decision to launch the micro pub nearly two years ago, we had one eye on how we could use it to bring the station back to life.
"This is the next step, a decision taken after gathering the thoughts and views of local people…we need it to be a viable business so if it is going to stay open after the month’s trial, we need people to use it!”
Platform Ale House and has become a regular fixture on the Albrighton pub scene and for real ale enthusiasts across the Midlands since opening in July 2016.
