Aiming to dine out on a Brief
Encounter
DINERS could soon be following in the footsteps of one
of the most romantic couples in movie history - at a Lancashire railway station.
British Rail has had seven tenders from businesses wanting to buy the offices and old tea
room at Carnforth station near Lancaster, the setting for farewell scenes between Celia
Johnson and Trevor Howard in the 1940s film Brief Encounter.
The winning bid will be announced later this week, but a spokesman for British Rail says
that it is expected that whoever gets the grade II listed building will turn ii into a
restaurant and museum themed around the film.
"The famous scenes in the station tea room were actually shot on a film set, not at
the station, but Carnforth was used for many of the scenes," said Richard Marx of
BR's property services.
Offices
"This is an excellent opportunity for an area like
his , which is on the edge of the Lake District and so well on the tourist map. All the
applications have come from small entrepreneurs, as the large national caterers do not
seem interested."
Local people have been keen to get involved, and the Carnforth Chamber of Trade is
prepared to step in if the restaurant idea does not go ahead. They want to turn the
station into a visitor centre for the town.
"The package includes the station offices and the station master's house. The buffet
is included, although it hasn't been used as a buffet for at least 15 years and looks
nothing like the tea room in the film," said Mr Marx.
Whatever happens to the buildings, the station will continue to serve the town as a
railway halt.
Aiming to dine out on a Brief
Encounter, Lancashire Evening Post 12 th June 1989
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