The World Cup of Stations is back and we need your votes for our stations Axminster, Petersfield, Portsmouth & Southsea, Richmond and Shawford!
Each year the tournament, organised by the Rail Delivery Group, celebrates great stations all across the UK.
Established in 2019, the competition challenges carefully shortlisted stations to battle it out head-to-head in an online public vote.
This year’s competition, which takes place between Monday 14 and Friday 18 October, celebrates the variety of local businesses in and around railway stations and the benefits they bring to their communities and economies.
We have five stations nominated across three categories and are looking for your support in voting for them, so that they can battle it out for a place in the final and be crowned the ‘station with the best local business’.
Our stations feature in the London, South West and Bonus rounds. Voting for each round is open for one day only - the London and South West rounds on Monday 14 October and the Bonus round on Wednesday 16 October.
Any of our stations that progress from these rounds will go through to the semi-final on Thursday 17 October.
London round – voting on Monday 14 October
Richmond
The historic Richmond station has been nominated for Flavourtown Bakery, a short walk from the station which serves up award-winning cupcakes, cakes, and brownies using the same ingredients all the posh hotels use. Flavourtown is the go-to spot to celebrate those small everyday wins and life's big events.
There are also two wonderful independent book shops in the Richmond area – Books on the Rise, which focuses on a curated selection of new titles and beloved favourites, and The Alligator’s Mouth, for children and discerning adults.
South West round – voting on Monday 14 October
Axminster
Situated at the station, the Railway Kitchen offers a delectable selection of meals sourced from top local suppliers, including breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. They proudly serve coffee roasted right in Axminster.
Axminster station is also home to The Ale Way, a micropub which stocks a continually changing line of independent real ales, fresh craft beers and delicious ciders, many of which are locally brewed. Richard Foord, MP for Honiton and Sidmouth (second from right) recently visited.
Portsmouth & Southsea
Just a short walk from the station, Hilbornes Sweets features over 350 jars of delectable treats, offering the largest selection of traditional sweets in Portsmouth.
Bonus round - voting on Wednesday 16 October
Petersfield
The old parcels office at Petersfield Station has been transformed into the ‘Petersfield free shop’ by the East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership (CRP), aiming to reduce unnecessary waste by providing surplus foods and seasonal goods to anyone who can make good use of them.
Shawford
Discover Platform 1 at Shawford Station, where you can indulge in specialty coffee, Italian gelato, and homemade bakes. Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester (second from right) recently visited.
Enjoy the award-winning wines and local beers for a perfect treat!
