Revised £1m station revamp will be 'the ideal solution'

The move comes after councillors were told the inclusion of a conference centre in the development would be too expensive.

Instead, Hambleton District Council plans to build a gallery and exhibition area.

Cabinet member for prosperity Councillor Ralph Andrew said: "Creating a conference space is an expensive option if we want to do it right. This is not an avenue we feel we can take.

"Establishing an exhibition area that can work alongside the businesses in the craft workshops is the ideal solution, and one that has been embraced by businesses, which have shown an interest in taking workshop space.

"This is a very exciting scheme for Bedale and for the district of Hambleton.

"We will not only be creating new jobs, but improving transport links to the dales and giving new craft-based businesses an ideal base from which to work."

The plans will see the number of workshops for small businesses increased from eight to ten.

The scheme will also mean the re-opening of the station buildings, by the Wensleydale Railway, to house a caf and travellers' information point.

A footbridge will also be built linking the station to the town centre. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has pledged £650,000 towards the scheme.

The rest of the money will come from the district council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Trains began using the platforms again earlier this year. It was the first time in 50 years they had stopped in Bedale.

Offices, the caf and the travellers' information point will be built in Station House.

The four outbuildings will be divided into ten workshops and the exhibition area.

Four of the workshops will have retail areas, with the exhibition space also available to the craft businesses.

The station and outbuildings have been used by the Kerfoot Group for many years. The company is moving to other premises early in the New Year.

It is hoped that work on converting the station and its outbuildings will begin soon afterwards.