Christchurch pub unveils revamped train carriage for private hire

The Pullman at the Avon Causeway Hotel in Hurn has been transformed with a new paint job, period detailing and gorgeous stained-glass windows.

Expected to take just three weeks, the major refurbishment to the mid-20th century carriage, which has been in residence at the old Hurn railway station since 1979, took eight weeks.

General manager Amanda Webb said: “They had to completely strip it back, so that it was pretty much metal and then totally rebuild it.

“I don’t think anything had been down to The Pullman for quite some time so when it came to renovating it, the builders found that there was more work than they initially thought.

“It was badly worn in some places and very rusty, but they have cleaned it all up now.”

With a capacity of up to 36 people seated, and table service from the hotel’s restaurant and bar, The Pullman is the ideal space for private dining, wedding receptions and other special events.

Ms Webb said: “We had a table for four come into our restaurant a few days ago and they saw the builders working on The Pullman. They asked to have a look around it and they booked it for their wedding there and then.

“There are a lot of people that just want a small intimate venue, and this give them the perfect place.

“Everything is tailormade for them. They can give us a call or go online to register their interest and one of our chefs or a member of staff will meet up with them and figure out what works for them.

“We pretty much start from scratch and go through the whole menu with our quality chefs and do our best to cater for their needs.”

Hotel guests can be treated to breakfast on The Pullman, which has received rave reviewed online.

The Avon Causeway Hotel are hosting an official opening event on Tuesday from 11am. Special guest Adrian Britton will be opening the carriage, and canapes and prosecco to be served to guests.

The hotel, which has 12 bedrooms, was taken over by Butcombe during the second national lockdown in November and have funded the project.

Ms Webb praised the company for their commitment to the development and is looking forward to greeting customers to The Pullman.

“I am so impressed with Butcombe," she added. “A lot of companies would have seen the extent of the work that needed doing and pulled out because it was too much money so to continue with it, in this day and age, is amazing.”

“Every time there was a bit of bad news, I thought they would pull the plug on it, but they were true to their word.

“The worst bit was that we had the expected end date on the side of the Pullman for a while before it opened and, when I had to tell the hotel guests it wasn’t quite finished yet, they were so disappointed. But I am glad we waited that bit longer because the finish is amazing.

“It is beautiful; it is beyond anything I dreamed of.”