The team behind Lowestoft Station’s community rail shop and tourist information office have celebrated five years of serving the local community and visitors to the town.

In 2020, the Lowestoft Central Project and the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP) worked together to open the facility which has since proved hugely popular with both local residents and visitors.

Stocking a range of printed information on local attractions and bus, cycle and rail networks, the team also endeavour to answer questions about the area and offer advice on how to reach various landmarks and attractions.

In addition to tourist information, the shop stocks a wide range of books, railway artefacts, crafts, souvenirs, a small refreshment offer and a range of exclusive Lowestoft Central and Wherry Lines merchandise, proceeds from which go towards running costs and other community rail initiatives at the station.

Other than a short rest during January, the shop is open all year round, dealing with an estimated 10,000 tourism enquiries each year. Current summer opening hours for the shop are Monday to Saturday between 10.30am and 4pm.

Jacqui Dale from the Lowestoft Central Project, said: “Since opening in 2020, we have been amazed at the number of people that visit the town not just from within the UK but across the world.

“We have always recognised that in a digital age where most information can be found on the internet, there is still a significant number of people that are not able to do this and many that prefer printed material and human interaction.

“We are therefore pleased that we are able to assist so many visitors and local people in reaching various locations and points of interest in both Lowestoft and the surrounding area.

“The shop has become a hub for the local community, and we are always happy to assist people to discover more about where they live and local and regional events, and how to reach them by public transport.”

Chris Mitchell, chair of the Wherry Lines CRP, said: “From the outset, we have been delighted to support the Lowestoft Central Project with vast improvements made at Lowestoft Station, which is now a much more welcoming gateway to both the town and the Broads National Park.

“Our joint initiative to create and operate an information facility is very important to the local community and visitors, and it also has a wider benefit to the local economy, especially tourism, and has dramatically improved the information available at the station for both rail and bus passengers, helping to assist public transport connectivity.

“The partnership is very grateful to the dedicated team of volunteers who give their time, all year round to run the facility.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Wherry Lines CRP via their website.