Mayor of Southend launches new Gold Geese Lounge at Westcliff station ​

March 23, 2026

Local rail operator c2c Railway, together with the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Nigel Folkard have launched a new Gold Geese-themed Lounge at Westcliff station.

The refreshed customer waiting area, now fondly referred to as the ‘Gold Geese Lounge’, is painted in the instantly recognisable Gold Geese yellow, reaffirming c2c’s long-standing partnership and commitment to the south Essex based children’s cancer charity.

The initiative has been supported by the Government’s Station Improvement and Customer & Communities Investment Fund (CCIF), a scheme designed to improve the customer experience at stations across the rail network. 

Speaking at the launch event, c2c’s Head of Stations, Joe Hendry, said:

“c2c is a proud and longstanding partner of Gold Geese, and we are delighted to have been able to work with Katie and her team, along with fantastic local artists, to bring the Gold Geese Lounge to life.

“This new lounge not only provides our customers with a comfortable and welcoming place to meet and wait, but it also offers an important reminder of our partnership and the great work that Gold Geese continues to undertake for our communities.”

Gold Geese provides personalised practical and emotional support to families of children and young people fighting cancer across south Essex. The charity’s support is tailored to each family’s needs and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital. 

Talented local artist, Annie Lange of Letters Be Together, worked closely with c2c’s in-house team over the past few weeks to ensure the Gold Geese Lounge was ready for launch.

Opening the Gold Geese Lounge, the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Nigel Folkard, said:

“It is an absolute privilege to be here at Westcliff station today to officially open the stunning Gold Geese Lounge.

“I would like to commend and thank the team of decorators and local artists who have transformed what was previously a station platform waiting room, into a clean, bright, and inviting lounge area.

“Katie and her team of volunteers work tirelessly to support those in the local areas who are both fighting and dealing with childhood cancer, and this lounge is just a small thank you from us, c2c and the local community for everything you do!”

Katie Southgate, Founder and CEO of Gold Geese, added:

“We absolutely love the Gold Geese Lounge and know our Gold families will too. Many families we support use the c2c line for their travel up and down to London hospitals as well as school transport and local days out. It is fantastic to know the Westcliff waiting room will be adding some sunny vibes to their journeys.

“c2c are one of our biggest community champions and have shown us such generosity, including wrapping a train gold and choosing us as their beneficiary charity at last year’s Ultra Marathon. We are so thankful to c2c for their support and to Annie and our local artists - making this project fresh and fun!"