Mytholmroyd Station Partnership have been awarded almost £300,000 of funding to complete their long-running project to transform a derelict station building into a new community centre.

The station group, run by Geoff and Sue Mitchell, have been working on plans to develop and reopen the old station building for 17 years, with support from various partners, including Community Rail Network and Northern.

Despite a number of setbacks in recent years, including severe flooding and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now confident of completing the project and welcoming the building’s first tenants within the next 12 months.

The group were awarded £293,193 by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in the third round of the Community Ownership Fund in March.

Mr Mitchell, chairman of the group, said the Grade-II listed building, which has stood empty for 40 years, will soon become a creative centre for Mytholmroyd with plans for studio space on all three floors to be rented out to locals.

Geoff said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding from the government after years of hard work. The building has become a sad sight since it was closed and boarded up, so we can’t wait to complete the renovation and reopen it for the people of Mytholmroyd.”

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We’re proud to have helped these dedicated volunteers secure the funding they need to bring their dream to life, after 17 years of hard work and perseverance. It will be fantastic to see them transform this old station building into a community centre that can be enjoyed by local people.”

For more information on the Mytholmroyd Station Partnership, who were honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021, go to mytholmroydstation.wordpress.com/