A PLANNING application for a unique element of a Padgate fish and chip shop has been approved – and it involves a railway carriage.

Plaice Station can now look forward to welcoming customers to a quirky dining experience at its chippy in an area that was once used to transport circus elephants.

Owner Darren Sudlow, who first opened the chip shop in 2007, submitted the application for dining in the 1930s carriage in March and it has now been passed.

“I’ve always fancied the idea of having a railway carriage as a dining carriage,” Darren said.

“When we got the decision it just started to make everything worthwhile. We are really excited to transform the area and we think it will be a fantastic addition to the community and for Warrington as well.

“Nobody has got anything like this in Warrington so we’re really excited to get it open and up and running.”

Darren, a former Woolston High School student, thanks all those who have supported him and the project as well.

“The amount of support we’ve had off family, friends and customers has just been overwhelming and still continues.

“It will definitely put Padgate on the map and I think it will put Warrington on the map as well.”

 

The carriage outside Plaice Station

The carriage outside Plaice Station

 

Darren has had the £70,000 'bucket list' project in mind for a while.

"It’s been on my bucket list for 14 years. I’m still on a bit of a high from it to be honest with you,” he said.

"It’s a joint effort between family and friends and the company who were putting the carriage on for me and it all fell into place on my birthday – so it was a nice birthday present."

He bought the 1938 Ashford/Eastleigh carriage – named Nellie – from Heritage Railways in Llangollen.

Darren added: "Heritage Railways are passionate about keeping the history of the railways alive so before they would sell me the carriage I had to convince a committee it’s being used for the right purpose and it isn’t just going to be left to rot."

Following approval from Heritage Railways and now the council, it can become a stable of the Padgate chip shop.

It is targeted to open as part of the chip shop in spring 2022.