Stockport Station renamed ‘Scottport’ to celebrate the new Scott Mills Breakfast Show
Avanti West Coast temporarily rename station to ‘Scottport’ to mark Scott Mills taking over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
- Stockport station, managed by Avanti West Coast, renamed to ‘Scottport’
- Fellow Radio 2 presenter Reverend Kate Bottley joins celebrations at Stockport station to mark the occasion
Stockport station has been renamed ‘Scottport’ for the day to mark presenter Scott Mills taking over the flagship Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
The intercity operator, Avanti West Coast, hosted a morning of celebrations at Stockport station, which saw platform signs switched to ‘Scottport’, alongside the Northants Sings Out choir performing in the station’s ticket hall bringing cheer to Monday morning commuters.
Stockport station was the setting for the surprise as Scott got ready to broadcast to the nation from the radio station’s London studio. The event was a complete surprise to the presenter, with the renaming of Stockport station announced to him live on air by fellow Radio 2 presenter, the Reverend Kate Bottley (who presents Good Morning Sunday with Jason Mohammad), who was at the station.
Revd Kate also made announcements throughout the morning on the station’s public address system, and customer information screens in the main entrance of the station were also updated, welcoming travellers to ‘Scottport’ alongside well wishes to the presenter.
As a further surprise, a miniature ‘Scottport’ sign made its way down to London on the 06:04 departure from Stockport and was then handed over to Scott live on air as a keepsake towards the end of the show.
When the surprise was revealed to him on air, a shocked Scott said: “No I’m sorry, that’s not true.
"It’s all very well people saying we’ve renamed a station, and then you look on social media and they’ve actually changed all the signs. This is bonkers, it’s like a fever dream.”
Lisa Magee, Station Manager at Stockport station, said: “It’s been an absolute honour hosting a morning of frivolities at Scottport with the team at Radio 2 to mark the wonderful occasion of the launch of The Scott Mills Breakfast Show.
“Being able to bring a smile to our customers’ faces on what would otherwise have been a dreary Monday commute has brought immense cheer to our station, and it’s been a great laugh hearing Kate making announcements throughout the morning. Everyone here wishes Scott the best in his new adventure!”
ENDS
Contact Information
Lauren Haslam
Notes to editors
Main image: Scott Mills receives his Scottport sign in the BBC Radio 2 studio. Copyright: BBC Radio 2.
Notes to Editors
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333