Weston-super-Mare’s railway station has been awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England.

Designed by Francis Fox and completed in 1884, Weston’s station was granted the coveted status as part of the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), a Historic England programme which focuses on supporting the on-going regeneration of the town’s centre and its areas of historic interest.

The station will join other listed town centre buildings such as the Odeon, the Magistrates Court, the Town Hall, Walliscote School, the Grand Pier, the Royal Hotel, Weston Museum and the HSBC building.

Deborah Williams from Historic England said: “We are delighted that the railway station in Weston-super-Mare station has been listed. This iconic building is a good example of a later phase of railway construction, and is interesting because of its role in the development of Weston as a seaside destination.

“Listing highlights what’s special about a building or place, and helps to make sure that any future changes to it take into consideration those special qualities. Listing doesn’t prevent change – in fact, listed buildings can be adapted and altered just like any other building, so that they can continue to be used and enjoyed for future generations.”

Cllr John Crockford-Hawley from North Somerset Council said: “Stations are so important because they are often the first architectural experience visitors have when approaching towns and cities. As a young boy I spent many a happy Saturday morning with friends polishing brass name plates on steam engines at Weston Station so have a rather prejudicial liking for the place and as an historian I’m delighted to see this fine piece of GWR architecture given national recognition.”

Mike Gallop, Director of Route Asset Management at Network Rail, said: “We are delighted Weston-super-Mare has been granted listed status. The new title reflects the iconic building’s impressive architecture and the historical interest in the station.”

The Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) in Weston-super-Mare is a Historic England project that is being delivered in partnership with organisations, including North Somerset Council.

The Heritage Action Zone is part of the Weston Town Centre Regeneration Programme, which will see improvements to key development sites and infrastructure projects and help to remove barriers and positively encourage investment within the town.

The vision for the town centre is focused on the themes of living, learning and lifestyle, with plans to attract more people to live in the in the town centre creating a lively, university town which will further improve the local economy.