As part of a £3.3 million redevelopment of Skegness railway station, East Midlands Railway (EMR) is seeking tenants for a new retail space that will be made available.

The space will suit many different businesses, such as newsagents, speciality retail, a left luggage shop, or micropub. With over 230,000 journeys made to Skegness by train last year, East Midlands Railway is confident there will be a good demand for the retail spaces and they will be popular.

The Government Town Deal Fund is providing funding for the new retail units, and they will be created by redeveloping a redundant Red Star building by splitting it into three units. However, it could be reconfigured as one large unit or two spaces if required.

As part of the station redevelopment, enhanced facilities are being provided at the station, including standard accessible and changing places toilets, two new start-up offices, and a community café with a meeting room.

Outside the station, there will be improved pedestrian and vehicular access routes, an improved configuration of the Taxi / drop off area, better access to the adjacent bus station, a new waste and storage compound, an external seating area for community café, and redevelopment of the concourse and cycle facilities.

It is planned that the redevelopment will start later this year and will include complete mechanical and electrical enhancements, and improved heating, ventilation, IT, and security systems.

During the £3.3 million redevelopment to completely reconfigure the layout of the station and improve passenger flow around it, East Midlands Railway will work with Connected Coast Town Deal, which oversees the Town Deal projects and Towns Fund investment in Skegness, East Lindsey District Council, and Network Rail.

Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Whether it’s a newsagent, a convenience store, or a lively bar, the canvas is yours to paint, and with more than 230,000 rail passenger journeys to the town last year, you won’t be short of customers.

“If you have an idea and are interested in renting one of these units, please get in touch.

“EMR is urging interested parties to contact them at [email protected].”