IMPROVEMENTS have taken place at a bus station.

Northumberland County Council has installed physical timetables in Hexham Bus Station, while the coffee kiosk inside has now been reopened for the first time in several years by an independent business.

A council spokesperson said: "Physical timetables have been put up at Hexham Bus Station in the last couple of weeks.

Hexham Courant: The new physical timetables at the stationThe new physical timetables at the station (Image: NQ)

"We have been having some problems with the electronic displays not functioning, a service engineer has been on-site and a number of parts ordered to fix the ongoing issue with the electronic boards.

Hexham Courant: The electronic board at the bus stationThe electronic board at the bus station (Image: NQ)

"Repairs to these boards are expected to be completed in the next 10 days.

Hexham Courant: The KioskThe Kiosk (Image: NQ)

"The physical timetables and cases have been installed to ensure that timetable information is still available to bus users in the event that the electronic displays aren't working."

Hexham Courant: Ashna making coffee in the KioskAshna making coffee in the Kiosk (Image: NQ)

The coffee kiosk was taken over by the owners of Marketplace Coffee, which is based at Hexham marketplace.

Claire Harijan and Ashna Boyers, sisters and co-owners of Marketplace Coffee, live in Hexham.

Hexham Courant: Baked goods at Kiosk Baked goods at Kiosk (Image: NQ)

Ashna, 49, said they took over the bus station kiosk approximately three months ago and renovated it before it officially opened eight weeks ago.

The Kiosk sells fresh and seasonal homemade goods, gluten-free cakes and a variety of speciality coffee.

Hexham Courant: The Kiosk coffee menuThe Kiosk coffee menu (Image: NQ)

"We freshened it up and kept it all nice and clean," Ashna said. 

Previously, the kiosk had been closed for several years.

Hexham Courant: Speciality coffee roasted in DurhamSpeciality coffee roasted in Durham (Image: NQ)

"It looked a bit sad and a bit neglected, we thought it would be nice to put some plants around and tidy the place up. We get a lot of tourists, I've met people here from all over the world and it's their first impression of Hexham when they arrive here.

"This is the first stop in the town and I think it needs to be a positive one, it needs to be tidy and well-maintained."

The Kiosk is open five days a week from 8am until approximately 3.30pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.

"I would love to take a member of staff on," Ashna said. "Maybe when the business is busier in future we could take someone on."

She added the business always tries to source local, high-quality ingredients where possible.