Mystery has descended upon a prominent unit on Birmingham's bustling New Street, where a once-popular tea shop now sits firmly bolted shut, its future uncertain. The T4 outlet, which specialised in serving boba drinks and had garnered a respectable 4.3-star Google rating from satisfied customers, appears to have ceased trading abruptly.
A Festive Yet Final Farewell
The shop's current state presents a curious and forlorn sight. A large, robust bolt secures the entrance, while a handwritten sign placed in the window delivers a seasonal, yet seemingly permanent, message: 'CLOSED. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'. This closure leaves the unit directly opposite another former tea shop, Gong Cha, which itself shut down in July of last year, creating a notable gap in the area's beverage offerings.
Digital Silence and Customer Confusion
Evidence of the closure extends beyond the physical premises. Attempts to contact the business have proven fruitless, with the shop's listed phone number now disconnected and its official website no longer operational. The brand's local social media presence has also fallen silent; the T4 Birmingham Instagram account has not been updated since Halloween last year.
This digital inactivity has sparked confusion among its former clientele. In the comments section of the most recent Instagram post, customer Maria Nicolas inquired, 'Are you guys not on deliveroo anymore? I've been trying to order there for a while now?' Another user, Vampmoni, responded with a telling observation: 'I havent seen them open in weeks.'
Closures Amidst a Street in Transformation
The shuttering of T4 occurs against a backdrop of significant change for New Street itself. This month, contractors have been actively working on the thoroughfare, tearing up sections of the road as part of a substantial regeneration project. The initiative aims to enhance the street's safety and appeal for pedestrians and cyclists.
The comprehensive updates involve installing fresh granite surfaces, removing traditional kerbs, and introducing more subtle, permanent barriers designed to prevent vehicular access. This work forms a key component of a broader strategy to create a more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly environment in the heart of the city centre.
A Pattern of Vacant Units
T4 is not an isolated case on New Street. The area hosts a number of other closed shops and restaurants, some of which have remained vacant for considerable periods. Notable examples include the former Morrisons supermarket site, which has been empty for a full decade this year, and the previous Fat Burgers unit, which closed its doors back in 2024. This pattern highlights the ongoing challenges and transitions within Birmingham's central retail landscape, even as public realm improvements seek to revitalise the area.
