A Willenhall businessman has issued a desperate plea for a quarter of a million pounds in compensation, claiming that prolonged disruption from a new railway station project has pushed his company to the brink of collapse and left him personally insolvent.
A Promising Business Brought to Its Knees
Russell Eynon, a 52-year-old accountant, took over Arx Apparel and PPE on Bilston Street in 2021. He says the business, known for its local charity work, was thriving. However, its fortunes changed dramatically two years later when construction began on the new Willenhall railway station directly south of his premises.
The project is being delivered by Kier Transportation for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). Russell states that the original contractor, Buckingham Group, promised compensation after part of his business site was required for the scheme. Tragically for him, that company went into administration in early 2023 before any formal agreement was signed.
The Devastating Impact on Operations and Health
Russell describes a catastrophic chain of events. Construction plant and the partial demolition of his building led customers to believe the business was closed, causing orders to plummet. He says agreed compensation payments from Kier for specific periods "went out as soon as it came in" to cover basic costs.
With working capital exhausted by the end of 2023, he faced an impossible choice: pay suppliers or pay staff. He chose his staff, losing vital supplier support as a result. This made fulfilling remaining orders impossible, leading to the loss of national contracts worth tens of thousands.
"Our reputation has gone. It’s just been a slow and painful death," Russell said. To survive, he was forced to let go more than two-thirds of his workforce. His mother, in her 80s, began volunteering to help. The financial and emotional strain took a severe toll on his mental health, leading to what he describes as his darkest moments in October 2024.
Insolvency and a £260,720 Lifeline
The situation has had dire financial consequences. Monthly profit in 2025 has been less than a quarter of what it was in 2023. Russell eventually had to declare himself insolvent and place both Arx Apparel and his other business, Breakwells Paints in Leamore, into liquidation.
He is now calling on Kier for £260,720 in compensation. This figure is calculated to cover loss of margin, unused building rent, liquidation costs, loans, and personal insolvency debt, minus compensation already received. He stresses the money is solely to clear debts, not for profit, and to attempt to restore the business's reputation.
"I dread the day when I wake up," Russell admitted, explaining he had maxed out credit cards to pay wages and now has "nothing."
The Official Response from Authorities
A spokesperson for TfWM acknowledged the disruption caused by major projects and stated they understand Mr Eynon's concerns. They confirmed that compensation had already been paid in good faith, based on his own assessment of the impact at the time. They added that further commercial compensation would be a matter for the contractor and have passed his correspondence to Kier.
A Kier spokesperson responded: "At Kier, we aim to leave a positive lasting legacy in the communities we work in. Since the start of this project we have been working collaboratively with local businesses including Russell Eynon and we have paid an agreed compensation amount to local building owners."
The new Willenhall station remains an eagerly awaited development for the area, promising better connectivity. However, for Russell Eynon, the cost has been unbearably high.
