TWO BROTHERS have joined forces to create an early-morning boost for rail commuters and the economy in Deal.

Nick and Andy Stevens will be opening the Platform 1 cafe within the old parcel delivery building at Deal railway station in the spring.

Andy is an online editor at Saga and Nick runs his own cross-Channel public relations firm, NLCH Associates, from his home in Hawkinge. The ambitious duo will not be giving up their day jobs, but see the new venture as a chance to plug a gap in the market and to create eight jobsfor local workers.

The cafe will serve a selection of snacks and hot and cold drinks, and offer newspapers for commuters to buy. It will be open from 5.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 5.30pm on Saturdays, but the hours may be extended.

Andy and Nick identified that on the new High Speed trains running from Deal there is no onboard trolley service, and on the standard train services the trolley is only available from Ashford onwards.

Andy, 44, from Trafalgar Drive in Walmer, said: "I was at the station around August last year and had a eureka moment when I saw the old parcel building – I thought, we could make something of this.

"We have identified what we regard as an excellent investment opportunity which can play a significant role in increasing train passenger numbers via Deal, using the early-morning High Speed services for London-bound commuters and standard train passenger services."

Nick, 53, added that he and his brother will be working with independent traders to help to boost the local economy.

The father-of-two said: "We are excited and confident in this new project and delighted to be contributing to the current business boom Deal is experiencing.

"We see great potential in this venture. Deal is the tourism jewel in the coastal crown.

"It is recognised as an increasingly popular town to visit and reside in, with many new investors purchasing second or main home properties, linked to the added attraction of fast train services to and from the capital."

Deal company Morgan Construction began refurbishment work on the new premises last Thursday.

You can find Platform 1 on facebook.com/platform1deal follow it on Twitter @platform1deal or e-mail the brothers at info@platform1deal.com