Owners Hugh and Nadia with petitions from commuters to keep 'Bread & Buffers' open
Hundreds of commuters have put their names to a petition to halt government-funded work on Billericay station that could see a local businessman evicted after 18 years.
Hugh McMahon, 61, from Billericay and his wife Nadia started their petition to save station shop ‘Bread and Buffers’ last month after hearing from National Express East Anglia that their premises were to be scrapped in a £1.5m upgrade to the station.
“We had just renewed our five year tenancy agreement and within two weeks we were served with notice that our contract would be ended in six months on the basis of redevelopment at the station,” said Nadia.
“I’ve heard the work is to extend the ticket office at a cost of around £1.4m but there is one window that has been permanently closed in the current office and I would suggest that what is really required is an ample staffing level in order to meet the needs of Billericay passengers.”
Hugh began work on Bread and Buffers two decades ago when he saw the need for a small shop at the station after commuting on the line in his former job as a publisher.
After negotiating with British Rail for two years Hugh was given the green light to convert an old parcel office and ‘Bread and Buffers’ was opened 18 years ago as part of a government funded scheme promoting small businesses.
“It’s not nice to be treated like this when you put so much time and effort into a business for this long,” Hugh told the Enquirer.
“It seems they are not trying to help me - they’ve not offered me any alternative retail outlet, there’s been no talk of compensation they’ve just told me there is no provision in the new development for a retail outlet.
“Over the past month I’ve seen almost a thousand people sign the petition and not one of them has supported the bigger ticket office and they’ve all said they want me to stay which is very flattering.”
The improvement works aim to extend the current ticket office, refurbish the existing station building and install new waiting shelters and information screens as part of the Government-sponsored National Station Improvement Programme with similar work set to begin at Essex stations Brentwood, Colchester North and Marks Tey.
The couple have been backed by shop owner Nigel Clark whose shop at Marks Tey train station is being threatened by similar redevelopment work.
“We’ve both been treated appallingly and I fully support Nadia and Hugh’s petition to stop this,” said the 43-year-old shop owner.
“As I understand it, funding for this redevelopment is coming from the National Station Improvement Programme which is a public fund meant for the benefit of the passenger not the benefit of the train companies.”
Local MP John Baron has vowed to take up the couple’s case in parliament and aims to present their petition this week ahead of the summer recess.
He told the Enquirer: “Bread and Buffers provides a great service to commuters and this petition will illustrate the strength of feeling there is about the move.
“I will be raising the issue in parliament and am hoping for a positive outcome.”
A National Express East Anglia spokesperson said: “Work will commence this Autumn on a redevelopment of Billericay station which will bring major improvements for thousands of customers at one of our busiest stations, including a brand new ticket office and booking hall, refreshment outlet, better waiting facilities and improvements to the station forecourt with investment from the Department for Transport's NSIP fund."
To support Hugh and Nadia’s campaign visit ‘Bread and Buffers’ at Billericay train station to add your name to their petition.