A couple’s fight to secure the future of their 18-year-old business at Billericay station has gone national after a local MP took their petition to parliament.
As featured in last week’s Enquirer, Hugh McMahon , 61, and his wife Nadia are fighting for the future of their ‘Bread and Buffers’ station shop after National Express East Anglia announced their lease would end with the redevelopment of Billericay station.
This week MP for Billericay, John Baron, presented a 1,150 signature petition to the Secretary of State in a bid to have the decision reviewed.
“Bread and Buffers has served local commuters for over 18 years and is well regarded,” said the Member of Parliament.
“It seems a nonsense that a station improvement should close down a business which has served commuters so well.”
Owner Hugh told the Enquirer: “It’s nice to have someone backing our campaign as well as all the wonderful people who have signed our petition and the press attention it has been given.”
The idea for a petition came after the couple’s local MP wrote to the Secretary of State and found out any final decision on station improvements would not be made until the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review this Autumn.
John continued: “Whilst I welcome improvements for the benefit of all commuters, my understanding is that National Station Improvement Programme funding is meant for small improvements and is certainly not intended to be used for a major demolition job which reduces commuter facilities, such as this business. It does not seem to be a good use of taxpayers’ money.
“My hope is this petition will encourage the Government to think again as it clearly illustrates the strength of feeling on this issue.”
Picture: Owner Hugh McMahon outside the station shop