The train shed was built in 1866-8 to the designs of William Henry Barlow, assisted by R. M. Ordish, for the Midland Railway. The clear span of 240 ft was unprecedented; the arches spring from platform level and the floor supporting the platform and tracks, in turn supported by iron columns, acted as a tie beam. Listing: www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/13… .
The basement, which is at the external street level and was originally designed for storing beer brought by rail from Burton-on-Trent, was opened up and adapted as retail space following plans developed by Foster and Partners in 1997-8 in connection with the adoption of the station as the terminus of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
