Last updated at 21:00, Thursday, 07 January 2010

FROZEN commuters at Maryport railway station can now buy hot drinks and bacon butties on their way to work in the mornings.

Two enterprising West Cumbrian men have set up a mobile snack shop to attract the custom of hundreds of people now using the train since the collapse of bridges across the River Derwent in November.

Stephen Montgomery, 46, of Flimby Brow, Flimby, is usually a taxi driver in Workington.

He said: “Like so many other businesses, I have found that there is just nobody around at the moment and little business to be had.”

His way of resolving his problem was to get in touch with chef friend Ian Hewer, 44, of Pica.

Planning permission and hygiene courses took more than six weeks, which meant plans to open their business before Christmas failed.

But on Tuesday they were up and running and at the railway station by 6am, ready for the first commuters.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” Mr Montgomery said. “The floods provided me with the opportunity.”

The business, called Munchies, will be at the station from Mondays to Fridays from 6am to the afternoon.

First published at 19:24, Thursday, 07 January 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk