THE Trackside Café at Saltash Railway Station is to close in its current form at the end of October, with the town council now looking for a new operator to take over the Isambard House café space.

Saltash Town Council has announced the café will close on October 31, bringing an end to the current partnership with local businesswoman Dawn Couch.

Trackside Café opened in June 2024 as the final stage of the major refurbishment of Isambard House, which transformed the previously derelict station building into a community and passenger facility.

The refurbishment included a public waiting room, café and toilet facilities and was supported by £685,000 of funding, with Cornwall Council providing £300,000 through its Local Transport Plan.

The town council partnered with Dawn to launch the café, drawing on her experience in hospitality, customer service and community engagement, including her operation of the Poolside Café at Saltash Leisure Centre.

The council said that over the past two years Trackside Café had become more than simply a place for passengers to grab refreshments, playing an important role in community life at the station.

Dawn and her team hosted community groups, catered for events and supported a wide range of local activities. She said she was grateful to everyone who had supported the business since it opened.

“I'd like to thank the town council, all our customers, community groups, visitors and rail passengers who have supported Trackside Café since we opened,” she said. “It has been a privilege to be part of the station community and to get to know so many wonderful people.

“We’ve made some fantastic memories and are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. Thank you to everyone who came through our doors and helped make Trackside Café such a special place.”

The café has also contributed to the town council’s wider objectives around health and wellbeing, economic prosperity and encouraging greater use of sustainable public transport.

Mayor Cllr Brian Stoyel said the council was “very sorry” to see the café close and praised Dawn and her team for their contribution.

“Trackside Café has played an important role in bringing life back to Saltash Station and helping Isambard House establish itself as a valued community asset,” he said. “Since the refurbishment, it has provided a welcoming space for rail passengers, residents and visitors, supporting the station’s role at the heart of the community.”

He said the café had demonstrated what could be achieved when local businesses, community organisations and public bodies worked together.

The council said the closure would not mean the end of café provision at Isambard House.

Following the end of the current partnership, it will seek a new concessionaire to operate the café, with the appointment being made through a procurement process.

Details of the opportunity are expected to be advertised shortly, with prospective operators encouraged to monitor Saltash Town Council’s website and social media channels. The council said its aim was to ensure the café space continued to serve rail passengers, residents and visitors.