A pop-up shop inside a train station has had its stay extended to coincide with an event to promote the local economy.

The unit, once part of Highams Park station's Victorian waiting room, was set up by the Highams Park Society last Tuesday (May 26) and planned to last until Transport for London's takoever of the Greater Anglia line on yesterday (May 31). 

Now the shop, which was used a newspaper kiosk during the rush hour until a few years ago, is to stay open until Saturday (June 6) to coincide with the Highams Park Planning Group's (HPPG) shop local day. 

The pop-up was created to sell goods such as cards and illustrations from local artists, historic photographs of the area, tuck shop sweets, jewellery, and local history books. 

Society chairman Sandeep Christian said it also promotes the organisation's relationship with the station, which dates back to 1873.

The Society officially adopted the station in 2006 and took on maintenance responsibilities for the garden, which has now been entered in TfL's upcoming Overground and Bloom Awards in July. 

Volunteers will continue to open and run the newly-cleaned and decorated unit from 9.30am to 6pm until Saturday's shopping event. 

Gill Poulter, of HPPG, has organised the event to "help promote the independent retail gems that are dotted around Highams Park."

From 11am to 3pm there will be food stalls, a mini garden centre, live music and craft stalls and to keep children smiling - face painting, a bouncy castle, balloon artist and a merry-go-round.

Throughout the day, local businesses will be giving away free tasters, samples, discounts and special offers and afternoon tea will be available at The Royal Oak pub in Hale End Road from 3pm. 

It is not known what will happen to the unit after June 6, although the Society are keen to see it remain open as a commercially-viable enterprise.