The tramway passenger shelter in St Annes-on-the-Sea stands at the junction of Clifton Drive North and St Annes Road West, marking the site of one of the town’s most recognisable historic landmarks. Work on the structure is believed to have begun in 1918, with completion and formal construction attributed to the local building firm John Heap & Sons in 1923. It served as a waiting room for passengers of the Lytham St Annes Corporation Tramways, which operated electric services between Lytham, St Annes and Blackpool from 1903 until 1937.
The shelter was built in a sturdy and practical early twentieth-century civic style, typical of the era’s transport architecture. Above the entrance, the engraved words “WAITING ROOM” remain visible, preserving a direct link to its original function. Following the closure of the tramway network, the building survived and was adapted for new uses, reflecting its central position in the life of St Annes. In 1984 it was extended and reopened as the Clock House Café, serving residents and visitors alike. In more recent years, it has been repurposed again and now operates as the Spud Hut. Nearly a century after its completion, the former tramway shelter remains a familiar landmark, symbolising the continuity of civic life and the enduring legacy of St Annes’ tramway heritage.
The shelter has a “WAITING ROOM” inscription above the entrance and a later-added clock.
Text source: Google AI Overview
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