Bedale Station

In 2002/3 Yorkshire Forward funded a Market Towns Action Plan for Bedale which highlighted the lack of suitable business space to allow residents to work in Bedale. The re-use of the Station site to create a vibrant working environment was seen as the catalyst to the regeneration of the town. The Station closed to railway passengers in 1954 and for a number of years it became the base for a local company.

When the local company wanted to dispose of the site to facilitate its’ expansion, it approached the District Council to see if it was interested in purchasing the Bedale Station site and buildings. At around the same time Wensleydale Railway also approached the Council, asking for assistance with its future development proposals, a key element of which was reopening Bedale Station as an embarkation point for railway passengers using the Leeming Bar to Redmire line.

As a result, the District Council acquired the Bedale Station site in 2004 and with support from Yorkshire Forward and North Yorkshire County Council undertook a mixed use redevelopment that combined the reinstatement of Station House as a railway embarkation point for Wensleydale Railway together with the provision of 10 craft units known as the Craft Yard. The idea was not just to reuse the site to attract visitors into the town but also to create much needed facilities for local businesses and employment opportunities for local residents. At the same time, the redevelopment also gave the opportunity to improve public transport/pedestrian links for visitors and residents alike.

Rather than providing general industrial units, it was decided that the creation of small craft units was complementary both to the Railway’s activities and the nature of local business base. In the main this focus has been maintained, although the rate of lettings has been slower than would normally be experienced. Whilst there has also been some turnover of tenants, tenants include a kiln glass artist, landscape photographer and filmmaker, three jewellery designers and a manufacturer of model railway base boards.

The largest of the Craft Yard units (Unit 1) proved the most problematic to let. At 279 sq metres, the unit was larger and more expensive than most craft businesses could afford and whilst it had been hope that it could be used as a gallery space for a consortium of local artists, this could not be achieved. Various courses of action were considered and the combination of a successful rateable value appeal together with planning approval for retail use has eventually attracted an occupier in the form of a bespoke kitchen and bedroom furniture retailer. All 10 of the Craft Yard units have now been let.

Funding

Yorkshire Forward resources were used for facilitating the development of the business space element of the project. The larger scheme, developed by Hambleton District Council included the opening up of Station House for rail use.

Yorkshire Forward   £750,000
Hambleton District Council      £551,500
North Yorkshire County Council £150,000