A NOVEL plan by a chippy to establish a dining area in a railway carriage has been scrapped after an ‘absolute battle’.

Plaice Station, based at Padgate railway station, has been trying for a number of years to secure the relevant permissions for its ambitious vision.

A planning application for the site last came before Warrington Borough Council’s planning department in November when it was refused.

Owner Darren Sudlow, who first opened the chip shop in 2007, previously told the Warrington Guardian the idea of having a railway carriage as a dining carriage had been a 'bucket list' project in his mind for a while.

The former Woolston High School student bought the 1938 Ashford-Eastleigh carriage – named Nellie – from Heritage Railways in Llangollen.

Giving an update on the plans, the Plaice Station team said: “We are extremely saddened to bring you this news. Unfortunately, some things are just not to be.

“Some four-plus years ago, during that funny old time called Covid, we had a crazy idea to put an old train by the side of our shop and create a unique place for those to eat.

“However, since then, many factors have come as an absolute battle to ‘get the doors open’ which have just made this project unsustainable.

“This funny old dream has had quite literally blood, sweat and many tears thrown at it, but it has taken us on a ride which we will not forget.

“From originally going out train shopping to having her sat, and the endless ideas and constant engulf of our lives put into making this area as magical as we could for our amazing, loyal customers, who have supported us not just from this journey, but since we opened back in 2007.

“On Monday, ‘Nellie’ will be leaving us and taken down south to Kent, where she will be relocated in her forever home for people to see.

“Thanks everyone for your continued support. We do have more ideas for use of our space which were sure you will enjoy.”