Middlesbrough, Saltburn, Newcastle and Whitby battle it out to be World Cup of Stations champion 2024

Britain’s railway stations are set to compete in the World Cup of Stations 2024, a competition that celebrates the importance of rail and its role in supporting communities, businesses and the economy. With 48 stations vying for the title, this year’s focus is on the businesses that make stations vital community hubs, driving local economies.   

This exciting competition, hosted by Rail Delivery Group, will take place from 14 to 18 October, with the winner being announced on 22 October. 

This year’s competition will showcase the best stations in the country which have amazing local businesses either in their station or the surrounding area of the North East and do a fantastic job supporting the communities they serve such as Middlesbrough, Saltburn, Newcastle and Whitby. 

Four stations feature in the North East heat where you can vote for: Middlesborough, Saltburn, Whitby and Newcastle when voting opens on Tuesday 15 October at 8am and finishes at midnight. 

• Just a short 5-minute walk from Middlesbrough town centre, this station supports a variety of businesses, from local art galleries and music venues to providing convenient access for students heading to Middlesbrough College or football fans traveling to the Riverside Stadium. 

• Established in 2011 in the arches of the beautiful former railway station in heart of the Victorian spa town of Saltburn-by-the-sea, The Sitting Room offers a unique ambience. By day, it's a quirky eatery; by evening, it transforms into a vibrant bar. 

• The Centurion Pub built in 1893 was originally a luxurious waiting lounge for first-class passengers travelling through Newcastle. Fast forward 130 years and this former waiting area is now a centre piece of Newcastle folklore. 
• The Waiting Room micropub - an oasis of calm in the heart of Whitby station. This dog-friendly pub brings locals together to bond over a pint or two in the traditional way. 

Join the fun and vote for your favourite station at raildeliverygroup.com/WorldCupOfStations. The competition will unfold in a series of online public votes, with three semi-finals on 17 October and a final on 18 October. 

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Local businesses in stations up and down the country are proving to be at the very heart of the communities they serve, and we want to shine a light on the very best stations in England, Scotland and Wales.  

“All of the stations nominated are making a positive impact on their local community, and the variety of businesses at stations is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, as well as the importance placed on supporting local businesses."

Martin McTague, National Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Railway stations up and down the country are home to a huge range of small firms, serving their local community, regular commuters and day trippers on a daily basis. These businesses contribute such a lot to our local economies and are a great source of employment. Not only do railway stations house an array of businesses, they are vital for providing visitors with easy access to local high streets, upping footfall and fostering trade. This competition is a great way to shine a light on the excellent and varied small firms based in and around transport hubs across the UK, showcasing the products and services they have to offer.”  

Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “The community rail movement is constantly striving to promote, enhance and transform stations for the benefit of local communities, including using half of Britain’s stations as sites for volunteering, providing spaces for community initiatives, running locally-led arts and nature projects, or improving sustainable travel confidence and connections.  

“A valuable part of this involves working with local businesses, and supporting and developing social enterprises, to stimulate access to opportunity, inclusive economic development and regeneration. We see the huge difference this makes to individuals, such as through work placements, skills development and social connectedness, and the boost it brings for local economies. We’re really pleased to be holding up these examples through this year’s World Cup of Stations.” 

Last year’s competition saw over 72,000 votes cast across 12 heats, with Wemyss Bay in Scotland taking the crown. This year, stations from all over the UK will compete, showcasing the best local businesses that make our train stations more than just places to catch a train. 

The World Cup of Stations 2024 is a celebration of the essential role that train stations play in supporting local economies. A recent report commissioned by Rail Delivery Group found that rail travel contributes in the region of £23bn annually to local high street around departure stations, with £9bn specifically benefiting independent businesses. 

Train passengers in North East are making a difference by spending on average £38 in towns and cities from which they depart and £9 per journey on independent businesses . With over 70% of people agreeing that having a train station helps their local economy thrive, the competition is a great way to highlight the importance of these local hubs. 

Don’t miss your chance to have your say in the World Cup of Stations 2024 and support the station that brings the best of local businesses to your community.