Volunteers transforming an empty building at Mytholmroyd Station into a creative centre for the local community say it will open later this year.
The Station Building Mytholmroyd, a charitable organisation run by Geoff and Sue Mitchell, has been working since 2007 to redevelop and reopen the old station building, despite being hit by a number of setbacks, including floods and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group signed a 25-year lease on the Grade II-listed building in January 2025 and say it is now being turned into a creative centre, with a ground-floor room that can be used by the community and seven units they intend to rent to local artists.
The volunteers are currently working hard to complete the project, ensuring the building has electricity, heating, running water and Wi-Fi before it opens to the public in the autumn.
Mytholmroyd Station is used by over 200,000 passengers a year and managed by Northern, which has been helping the volunteers to deliver their long-held ambition of transforming the building.
The group also received financial and other support from the Community Ownership Fund, Northern, Network Rail, Community Rail Network, Railway Heritage Trust and Historic England.
Sue Mitchell said: “Every time we come here, we get really excited about the opening and it was a big moment when we signed the lease.
“This building was a vandalised wreck before this project began. It’s taken an awful lot of work, and we’ve had some sleepless nights to get to this point, but it’s all been worth it.
“The project has received considerable support and advice from all sections of the railway family – from managers to regional maintenance staff. It will be for the local community, and we have already received a lot of interest.”
Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “Geoff and Sue’s determination and perseverance over the last 18 years has been nothing short of amazing. We’re really excited to see them finish this project and open the community hub for the people of Mytholmroyd later this year.
“This is a fantastic example of volunteers working hard over many years to enhance their station for the local community.”
William Young, portfolio surveyor for Network Rail’s eastern region, said: “We are delighted to have signed a peppercorn lease with The Station Building Mytholmroyd, enabling this historic building to be transformed into a vibrant community hub.
“We have invested significantly over the years to preserve this structure, making it ready for the next phase of refurbishment. Thanks to funding secured from the government and industry partners, we are excited to see the volunteers hard work bring new purpose to this heritage asset and benefit the local community.”
