OKEHAMPTON Station has been given a new lease of life, thanks to a £145,000 cash injection from Devon Renaissance. As part of the Dartmoor Railway scheme, Okehampton's bay platform now boasts two workshops that have been re-designed specifically to aid the development of local craft based businesses. Dartmoor Railway is also working with Okehampton's 'Business Information Point' to establish a three-way advisory partnership to enable businesses using the workshops to get easy access to sound advice and support during their start up and early growth. General manager of Dartmoor Railway, Stuart Farmer, said: 'These purpose built workshops will not only give traditional start-up businesses a helping hand, but also help secure the long term future of the station itself. 'By renovating the platform and inviting local businesses to use the buildings, everybody wins. Okehampton Station remains open to attract local and national visitors, employment has been secured for five staff and traditional businesses get a helping hand.' As part of the renovation project the refurbished premises will provide a meeting room area for both the workshop-based and other local craft-based businesses. 'We have already had interest from a number of businesses including a wood turner and an instrument maker,' added Stuart. 'We hope to see both workshops occupied by the New Year and we welcome approaches from anybody starting out in a craft-type industry that would be interested in using these fantastic new premises or showcasing their wares in the retail premises.' Programme co-ordinator for Devon Renaissance, Liz Abell, said: 'We are delighted that this project has been completed and is now ready for people to use. 'We felt this was an excellent use of former railway buildings which keep both the station and Dartmoor Railway viable and sustainable.' Devon Renaissance is a rural regeneration partnership funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and South Hams district and borough councils. It provides grant funding and works with projects to help create prosperity and jobs and improve access to services in rural areas. It has some £7 million of funding over three years which is estimated to be worth £20 million to the Devon economy with match funding.