Ex-prison worker finds new career on the railways

A former mental health worker has swapped working in prisons for life on the railways.

Liam Dainty has been recruited as one of around 100 staff working for the train company Lumo at its new headquarters in Preston.

He will now be helping passengers as a customer experience ambassador by checking tickets, helping with travel information and assisting passengers with additional needs.

Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, is starting a new passenger train service, running four return services a day between Stirling and London Euston, with three on Sundays, all via Preston.

"I'd done the same job for nine years and not had an interview in nine years, but as soon as I walked into the Preston headquarters all the managers and the staff made it so welcoming," said Liam, who explained he has been interested in trains since he was young.

"It was a massive change and something I needed," Liam told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Liam, like other recent recruits at the Preston headquarters, has only been in post for four weeks.

Lumo manager Max Joicey said Liam's interview stood out.

"We say to people 'what's your favourite animal' and I remember Liam saying, 'a dog … because I can feed it pies, I'm from Wigan!'" she said.

Max said the company was proud of its new Lancashire base.

"We are offering local jobs to local people. It brings some excitement and new opportunities," she added.

The Lumo brand currently runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh.

Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, which owns the Lumo brand, said: "We're excited to be investing in our new base in Preston which is creating jobs and supporting the local economy.

"We're looking forward to becoming a part of the community here, already forging some brilliant partnerships.

Matthew Brown, the leader of Preston City Council, said: "The opening of Lumo's new headquarters is a significant investment in our city and a real boost for local jobs, skills, and opportunities.

"Attracting a new major employer shows Preston is on the up and our local economy is growing from strength to strength linked to our station quarter and wider government investment in the UK rail network.

"We welcome Lumo into our community and look forward to the positive impact their presence will have on our city."

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