With its train station now operational again for the first time since 1941, Pineapple Road is experiencing a surge in visitors as locals from Kings Heath and Stirchley stroll over to catch a ride into the city centre. However, many of them pass one of its most charming little houses without a second glance, unaware of the joy hidden inside.
A Historic Community Hub Reborn
Number 171 Pineapple Road, now known as Pineapple House, is the home of the Dads Lane Community Association. This organisation was established by compassionate neighbours in the late 1930s. Throughout the Second World War and for decades after, the small house hosted parties, fetes, clubs, meetings, laughter, tears, and togetherness. It even served as a GP surgery at one point.
Now, with the train station open and the builders kindly enhancing the front garden, Pineapple House is better than ever. It features an accessible coffee shop in the front room, filled with toys, books, cosy window seats, excellent coffee, and warm welcomes.
The Good To Go Cafe
The 'Good To Go' cafe offers a coffee and cake deal for £6, with hot drinks, fresh bakes (including a delicious pineapple right-side-up cake), and smoothies served quickly for commuters. The proceeds support the community activities on offer.
From 10am to 12pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, it becomes a 'pay-as-you-feel' cafe, where you spend what you can, bring your own crafts, and let children play with the toys. Free WiFi is also available, a marvel compared to the 1930s.
Activities and Facilities
Fridays feature baked potatoes and bingo. There is also a book group, creative craft sessions, a walking group for over 50s, quiz nights, exercise groups, drama gatherings, and board game nights. Upstairs, rooms are available for hire, where therapists use spaces with pretty old fireplaces, a bonus kitchen, bathroom with shower, and large boardroom tables for meetings or co-working.
Downstairs, the Community Hall is perfect for parties and fun, leading to a garden that is set to improve further. It is full of toys and safe play areas.
The People Behind It
Steve Squires, 47, moved from Ipswich to Birmingham in 2000, became a foster parent, and sought community like that at Pineapple House. He took over the centre with friends in 2019 when former trustees stepped away after years of dedication.
"We didn't really want to take it on, but nobody else did. We knew we couldn't lose this space to the community so me and a few friends got together and decided to try," Steve said. "Those before were beautiful, wonderful people, but the place was in decline. It was decaying, it was falling apart. Over the years, it's been passed on to community-minded people though the decades. It's our turn at the moment."
Around 360 people visit each week now, and Steve hopes more will come for coffee and cake, their support keeping the lights on for those who benefit from this shared safe space.
Community Importance
"The space is important to the community. Of course it's important to me because I love it, but we get people coming here who are bringing their kids to birthday parties who had their own birthday parties here when they were like six or seven," Steve said. "It's a completely different space, it's fresh and renewed and it's much more usable than it used to be; it's nice and open plan and we've got a beautiful garden space with play stuff!"
National Lottery funding has helped transform Pineapple House into the colourful gem it is today, along with community support for renovations and room hire. Construction firm Volker Fitzpatrick, which rebuilt the station, also contributed significantly, even building the front wall to look like heritage brickwork.
The Good To Go coffee shop is currently open from 7am to 9am for station users and passers-by as a trial to gauge local interest. "We wouldn't be anywhere without the National Lottery funding," Steve said. "They gave us enough to be able to try new things. When you've got a sort of entrepreneurial spirit, you want to crack on and try new things, but if you've got finance that is causing problems on the back of that, it's really hard to try those things without worrying you're going to have to shut the doors. Having that freedom to try new things has been amazing. And that's partly why we're doing Good To Go. It's a trial and we'll find out if it works..."
The coffee and cakes are delicious. Good To Go might be a trial, but it is too good to let go. The address is 171 Pineapple Road, B30 2SY.
