Station South
Levenshulme, Manchester, England
Station South CIC
Unlisted
Former train station transformed into a cycle-friendly café, bar and co-working space
Situated on Levenshulme high street, Station South first opened as Levenshulme Station in 1892 and served the Manchester Central Line until 1957. When the line was discontinued in 1988, the track was converted into a cycle track that runs across South Manchester called the Fallowfield Loop. After the station’s closure, the building spent 60 years in use as a range of shops, before being left vacant in 2016 and falling into disrepair.
Station South CIC was established by three local residents with a joint vision to save the former train station and convert it into a destination cycle café, bar, community hub and bike workshop. At the time of the group’s formation, the building was owned by Railway Paths LTD (RPL), who oversaw the estate of British Rail. The group liaised with RPL to negotiate a 25-year lease and RPL carried out initial safeguarding and structural works to the roof, windows, doors and shop front.
In 2018, the AHF awarded Station South CIC a grant to carry out a viability study to ensure the project was feasible. That same year, a Project Development Grant advanced the project to a stage where the group could tender for capital works and, in 2020, a Transformational Project Grant was awarded to help get the building open. The AHF has also provided guidance and support around issues such as leases, governance and business planning. Other supporters of the project include the Railway Heritage Trust, Manchester City Council, Sport England and Key Fund.
Station South opened in April 2022 and has become the perfect resting spot for cyclists and families walking the Fallowfield Loop, as well as a popular community hub offering events, such as DJ sets, live music, and children’s disco brunches. Station South CIC is currently working on plans to landscape the outside space to incorporate an outside terrace, a kitchen garden and an area in which people of all ages can learn to ride bikes, providing much-needed green space in the highly urbanised area.
AHF Funding
Project Viability Grant - £6,550 (2018)
Project Development Grant - £20,700 (2018)
Transformational Project Grant - £100,000 (2020)
Image Credits
Jody Hartley for Station South
Pete O Hare