Carnforth Station cafe made famous by Brief Encounter film is up for sale

The Brief Encounter Refreshment Room at Carnforth Station is on the market.
The Refreshment Room is up for sale.The Refreshment Room is up for sale.
The Refreshment Room is up for sale.

The current lessees, Andrew and Helen Coates, have decided to sell their business and move on after almost 13 years.

Carnforth Station is famous as the location for David Lean's 1945 wartime romantic film starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.

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The outdoor railway scenes were shot at the station, and The Refreshment Room featured prominently - but was in fact a studio set.

Carnforth Station.Carnforth Station.
Carnforth Station.

When the station buildings were rescued and renovated some 20 years ago, the Refreshment Room was lovingly recreated in full 1940s splendour, faithful to the period and to the film.

Andrew said: "It is a huge wrench to move on but we had made that decision before the pandemic and now seems the right time for new enthusiasts to take over and build upon the cafe's romantic associations."

The cafe receives visitors from all over the world - from Europe to Japan - to enjoy coffee, light lunches and cream teas in the unique surroundings.

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Closer to home, Andrew explained that many well known faces have come through the door - from the cast of Coronation Street to Michael Portillo and Sir John Major.

Inside The Refreshment Room.Inside The Refreshment Room.
Inside The Refreshment Room.

More recently, Timothy West and Prunella Scales popped in for a chat and a brew while filming their popular TV series, "Great Canal Journeys".

Helen said: "We shall miss our customers. We have fond memories here - we even held our wedding reception on the platform outside.

"We have had the privilege of a long rather than a brief encounter and we look forward to seeing the cafe continue to thrive in the future."

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The cafe is being marketed for sale though AJPicken, Business Transfer Agents. The purchase price is to include all fixtures and fittings, goodwill, assistance with the handover and a new lease to be granted by the Carnforth Station Trust.