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Richmond Station, situated just on the outskirts of the historic town of Richmond on the banks of the river Swale, was built in 1846 and formed the terminus of the branch line to Richmond. The station closed in 1969 and was converted for use as a Garden Centre.

In 2002 the old Richmond Station building, now a Grade II* listed building, became redundant and the owner, Richmondshire District Council planned to sell it to developers.

Under the direction of a small community group, the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT) was formed in 2003 made up entirely of volunteers with no experience of projects of this scale.

Consulting the local community and with modest funding a feasibility study was undertaken.

The vision was a multi-use venue which would ideally incorporate a Cinema, Meeting Rooms, Cafe/Restaurant, Art Gallery and some form of visitor attraction. It also had to be self-sustaining financially.

The Trustees networked to locate all possible funding options. Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency had already given a commitment while European funds and the Heritage Lottery Fund were also identified as significant sources. The grant applications, and private fundraising was done almost entirely by the Trustees or by local supporters who all gave their time for nothing.

Against the odds, the funding was all put in place and work commenced in 2006.

£2.7m was spent to re-open The Station in November 2007 as a venue for Film, Food and Art.

The Station is a lovingly restored former Victorian railway building, which is now home to a 3-screen independent cinema, restaurant, shop, galleries, and a selection of independent businesses. The Station retains many of its original railway features, including the large platform area, original iron work, and magnificent glazed roof.

The station at Richmond first opened in 1846, part of the Newcastle to York branch line from Dalton to Richmond. The arrival of the railway was a major development for the town and the surrounding area, and Richmond station was a busy hub bringing tourists, produce and soldiers to Richmond.

The main station building was designed by architect George Townsend Andrews of York, and was designed to complement the existing architecture of Richmond’s historic buildings.

The station building was opened in April 1847. The building included various offices, waiting rooms, and a Refreshments Room. Other unique features of the station building include the port cochere covered porch (providing shelter for passengers using the Parcel and Enquiry offices), ornate chimneys, gargoyles, and distinctive church style door.

British Rail proposed closure of the line in 1963, but this was vigorously opposed, and the proposal was withdrawn. Goods traffic was withdrawn four years later, and the line was gradually run down until March 1969 when trains left the platform for the final time. The site lay empty for several years until 1974 when the building was given a new use as a farm and garden supply centre. The building remained largely unchanged and was listed as Grade II in 1986. The garden centre closed in 2001 and remained unused until the building was acquired by the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust (RBPT).

Following extensive fundraising, the station buildings were brought back to life by RBPT, with work starting in 2006. The Station was restored and its interior reimagined, reopening to the public in 2007. Today The Station is a vibrant community hub which is home to the award-winning Station Café | Bar, three-screen independent cinema, art galleries, The Station Shop, and a range of independent businesses. RBPT continue to manage The Station, and all profits go back into the upkeep and improvement of this very special place.