'Significant' moment for Preston as Lumo opens major new rail hub, creating 100 jobs
A ‘major’ new rail base has opened in Preston, creating around 100 jobs.
The Lumo headquarters on Fox Street will act as a central hub for the brand-new direct rail service linking Stirling and London Euston.
The new West Coast route will call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert. More information about the service’s launch can be found here.
Lumo partnered with the colourful Preston Caribbean Carnival for a procession from Preston Railway Station to the new headquarters on Monday (March 23), before Sir Mark Hendrick MP officially opened the base.
Stuart Jones, Managing Director of First Rail Open Access, said: “This is a significant moment for both Lumo colleagues and the people of Preston as we countdown to officially launching our new West Coast service.
“We’re excited to be investing in our new base in Preston which is creating jobs and supporting the local economy.”
Sir Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston, said: “I’m thrilled that Lumo have chosen Preston as the site for their headquarters for their new rail operations between London and Stirling in Scotland.
“This new rail hub will bring jobs for local people, quality apprenticeships, low-cost rail fares, more route options and better connectivity for all rail passengers. As Lumo is an open access operator, they will be able to offer low-cost fares.
“By basing themselves in Preston, as an anchor hub between London and Scotland, I envisage a very positive knock-on effect to the local economy. This is great news for leisure and business passengers and I hope this development will attract businesses to move their operations to the city.
“I look forward to seeing increased growth in the open access operator model in the UK rail industry and wholeheartedly welcome Lumo to our city.”
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