Mama Roux's, the popular 800-capacity club and live music venue in Digbeth, has voiced fears over proposals to demolish its home and neighbouring businesses as part of plans to renovate Moor Street Station and expand rail lines to Bordesley.
The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance (MRHA) has launched a consultation on the Bordesley Chords project, which would directly impact businesses on Lower Trinity Street, including Mama Roux's, The Warehouse, and Original Patty Men, as well as other small companies.
Cultural Wipe Out Warning
Benjy Hill, Operations Manager at Mama Roux's, described the plans as "a cultural wipe out of all the night life and independent culture and music." He added that the scale of the impact, stretching from Digbeth's main strip to Moor Street, would "completely paralyse Digbeth."
Hill highlighted the irony of the situation: "The BBC and all these new apartments are coming in and because of all the cool stuff that is here. All this infrastructure is coming in and is needed for the city, but it feels like it's just wiping out everything that makes Digbeth good. You'll just be left with a culture-washed space with a load of high rise apartments."
Appeal for Public Support
The 32-year-old called for public support, urging people to submit feedback to the MRHA. "Any support would be grateful, just by coming to the venue and telling the Midlands Rail Hub what the area means to them," he said. "It's not just about Mama Roux's or Club Colette. If anyone's ever danced at any of those venues or gone to see a gig, if they could share the cultural importance, what it means to them, that would be really helpful. The more people we get submitting, the more they would hopefully have to reconsider or adapt their plans."
On Instagram, Mama Roux's detailed the threat, noting that "massive railway stilts are planned over our historic Victorian arches" and that venues like theirs are "earmarked for demolition in 2030." The venue emphasised its role in nurturing UK culture, from hosting artists like Little Simz and Jorja Smith to investing in local musicians weekly.
Community Backlash
The post sparked an outpouring of support, with comments such as "Digbeth is home and forever will be home," "Confident if we all come together we can resolve this," and "The stepping stone for who I am as a DJ right now. Not only this, it has been a place to meet friends and make memories, where will this be if Mamas is not there? I stand with MAMA ROUXS."
MRHA Response
A spokesperson for the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance defended the project, stating: "Midlands Rail Hub is a major investment in the region's railway which will unlock access to opportunities, create jobs, boost economic growth, and enable new houses to be built, benefiting local people, businesses, and communities."
They acknowledged concerns about construction impacts and committed to working with affected parties. The spokesperson encouraged feedback during the first round of consultation, ahead of a Transport and Works Act Order application, with further consultation planned for 2027.
