New Birmingham Train Station Brings Mixed Fortunes to Moseley
As the new Camp Hill line stations in Moseley, Kings Heath, and Pineapple Road near their opening, excitement is building among many residents and traders. However, for one long-standing business owner, the arrival is bittersweet, coming too late to save his struggling cafe.
Cafe Owner Forced to Sell Amid Rising Competition
Yann, owner of De Maines of Moseley, an English French cafe on St Mary's Row, has announced he is selling his business after more than a decade in operation. Located just yards from the new Moseley station, the cafe has faced increasingly difficult trade in recent years.
Yann attributes this struggle to a surge in new businesses investing in the village, drawn by the promise of the upcoming railway station. "All the businesses came here really because of the train station, and that made trade very difficult and very competitive," he explained. "It hasn't been very fair, and I have been suffering from it."
Station Set to Transform Area Despite Delays
The new stations, which will restore passenger services to the area for the first time since the early 1940s, have completed construction, with train testing currently underway. They are expected to open shortly, potentially attracting more visitors and boosting local commerce.
However, the project has faced significant delays. Originally scheduled for completion in 2023, it was postponed to 2025 due to budget pressures, with Transport for West Midlands citing £121 million in soaring costs in July 2024. This marks the second delay for the Camp Hill scheme.
Mixed Reactions from Local Community
While Yann believes the station will "certainly attract more people here" and change trade dynamics, he laments that it is too late for his business. "I don't have any more money to stay. It's a shame, but that's my story," he said, adding that he aims to move on as soon as possible.
In contrast, other traders and residents express optimism about the station's impact, anticipating a huge boost for the area once it opens. The influx of new businesses, while challenging for some, signals a revitalization that many welcome.
As Moseley prepares for this transport milestone, the story of De Maines of Moseley highlights the complex effects of urban development on small businesses, where progress can bring both opportunity and hardship.
