A VINTAGE railway carriage has left a Warrington chippy for the final time after its owners called time on their dream.

As reported on Monday, Plaice Station, based at Padgate railway station, has been trying for a number of years to secure the relevant permissions to establish a dining area in an old railway carriage.

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.

But he gave up on the dream after failing to gain permission following an ‘absolute battle’, adding: “Unfortunately, some things are just not to be.”

Nellie arrived at the chippy in February 2021, and it has now left the site, with workers taking the carriage away yesterday, Tuesday.

The business said: “Just wanted to leave a post thanking everyone for your support.

“We have been completely overwhelmed by the messages coming through, comments on social media and those getting in touch personally showing support.

“It really does mean a lot to us, so thank you to you all.

“It was a funny day of mixed emotions and reflecting over everything that has happened since day one.

“But as one chapter ends, another one begins, and we look forward to bringing you what we have in initial plans.”

A previous statement read: “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.

“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.”