Mama Roux's and Colette Club, two of Digbeth's most beloved cultural venues, have declared themselves open to a compromise as proposals to expand Moor Street Station threaten their future. The 800-capacity club, live music venue, and party bar at 2-3 Lower Trinity Street could face demolition under the current plans, which would also see the rail line extended towards Bordesley.
The venues previously voiced fears of a "cultural wipe out" in an Instagram post, but now their operations manager Benjy Hill has stressed that they are not against infrastructure improvement in principle. "The infrastructure coming in is needed for the city, but it feels like it's just wiping out everything that makes Digbeth good," he said.
Alternative Options Exist, Says Venue Manager
Hill argued that there are alternative approaches that could avoid the destruction of the venue. "I think there's other plans that been promised that suggest that they don't need to extend. They could potentially fit more tracks on the existing service, but they are adamant on five or six tracks, rather than three or four," he explained.
"So there is other options but this just seems very infrastructure heavy like I've never even seen. It feel like they might not have been aware of the cultural importance of Digbeth when they were doing this."
Hill also pointed out that a cursory glance at the area could mislead planners. "If you go round the area on a Monday afternoon, everything is shuttered up, no clubs or live music venues are open on a Monday. So if they were doing a tour to see what it was like, they'd think it was industrial wasteland when actually it comes alive on a weekend," he said.
Midlands Rail Hub Alliance Responds
The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, which is behind the proposals, has responded to the concerns. A spokesperson said: "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."
"We recognise there may be concerns about the impact of the construction work, and we are committed to working with those who may be affected, including landowners, businesses and tenants, as we develop our proposals."
Consultation Process Underway
The spokesperson added: "This is the first round of consultation ahead of our Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application and we encourage people to provide their feedback through any of the ways set out on our consultation website, which can be accessed here: www.mrhalliance.co.uk. We will be seeking feedback again on more refined and detailed proposals in 2027."
The proposal to renovate Moor Street Station and expand the rail line has sparked a wider debate about the balance between infrastructure development and cultural preservation in Digbeth. As one of Birmingham's most vibrant creative quarters, the area is home to numerous independent venues, street art, and nightlife destinations that draw visitors from across the region.
Mama Roux's and Colette Club are not alone in their concerns. Previous reports have highlighted a plea to save the historic Digbeth venue from bulldozers as major changes are planned for the area. The outcome of the consultation could set a precedent for how such developments are handled in the future.
For now, Hill remains hopeful that a middle ground can be found. "We're open to compromise," he said. "We just want to make sure that the cultural heart of Digbeth isn't lost in the process."
