At a further meeting (see below for earlier report) in April with representatives from Southern Railways and Network Rail, Tessa pressed the case, with GLA Member Val Shawcross, for space for the current traders at Gipsy Hill Station to be incorporated into plans for the newly refurbished station.

Tessa said: 'I think we made excellent progress and both rail companies now know, if they did not before, just how strongly the local communnity feels about securing the future of the cafe and the dry cleaner's at the station.

'Val and I will do everything in our power to support these much loved local businesses and seek to ensure that they will be able to serve the Gipsy Hill community for many years to come.'

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Previously:

Tessa Jowell was at Gipsy Hill Station in February to present a 750 signature petition and over 50 letters from concerned residents to senior managers from Southern Railways. The petition was in support of the Sunrise Cafe which is based in the station. 

Work required to make way for Oyster card readers and to replace the footbridge may put the future of two shops in doubt - Sunrise Cafe and Under Pressure Ironing Dry Cleaners. On visiting the station on Friday Tessa put the case for a temporary move into unused accommodation next door while the vital work is undertaken. She also pressed Southern Rail to allow the two businesses to be given priority for refurbished units when the work on the station is completed.

Tessa was joined by Southern representatives: Ian Rashbrook - Stakeholder Relations Manager; Barry Jones - Station Manager and Paul Trevett - Facilities Manager. Also present were Sara (Schehrazad) Boudouani from Sunrise Cafe and Clare Fivey and Mr Patel from Under Pressure Ironing Dry Cleaners.

Tessa Jowell MP said:
'I am backing several hundred of my constituents in supporting the much used and much loved coffee shop and dry cleaners that have served the local community well for many years.

‘I want Network Rail to make space that is currently unused available whilst refurbishment work is undertaken.

‘I also believe that Sunrise Cafe and Under Pressure Ironing should be given first refusal on units in the refurbished station to reflect the hard work they have done in building up trade over the past few years’.