18/04/2025
April 2025 Update for All Our Customers
Over the past few years, nearly every customer we’ve had the pleasure of helping has asked the same question:
“What’s happening over the new Baltic Station—you must be made up?”
Most people assume the Combined Authority is helping us—whether that’s moving us, protecting us, or even compensating us (that one always gets a smile). But every single customer is shocked to hear the truth:
We’ve been left completely in the dark, with nothing but empty promises.
Two years ago, officers from the Combined Authority stood inside our business and told our staff they had nothing to worry about. As a “foundation business,” they said, our jobs were safe and we’d be protected. Great news, right? We were told to wait for the planning application, which would outline these protections.
Fast forward a few years…
That planning application is here—and every concern we raised, everything we asked for to survive and keep serving you, our amazing customers, has been ignored. We feel completely let down.
This city has always stood up against injustice. We’ve always fought to hold the “big boys” to account and protect our communities. But this time, every attempt to push back has been ignored, blocked, or shut down.
Despite the Combined Authority’s glossy social media posts about “supporting local business,” their actions suggest otherwise. It seems nothing can stand in the way of their £100 million station build
Now, don’t get me wrong—I was born in Toxteth. I built a business here, and I’ve worked in this community my whole life, just like my father before me. We welcome investment—but not at the cost of our staff’s jobs and a 40-year business.
Here are the main facts:
• Three years of talks with LCRCA and LCC have resulted in no workable solution for the parking you rely on—whether you’re dropping off for an MOT or arriving on the back of a breakdown truck.
• The current planning document proposes just 10 permit-only spaces—a 75% reduction, and only during working hours. We warned them: this would lead to closure. Still, they consider it a “solution.”
• How are customers supposed to drop off before work or pick up after? Apparently, you’ll just collect your car with a parking ticket.
• We repair around 8,000 vehicles and carry out 2,000 MOTs each year. A government report just last week confirmed a severe skills shortage in the automotive sector—especially in the North. Yet the council claims this station won’t impact local skills or employment. Waiting lists for EV repair are already 6 weeks locally and mots are at capacity due to the shortage of MOT testers . I guess they think it’s fine to for people to go to the dealerships instead and pay far more ?
• Our business signage—prominently placed for 40 years—will be removed and not relocated. The council even took pride in telling us it would be taken down as soon as planning is passed. The new substation also blocks our building being visible from the main road making signage even more important. This resulted in the councils own business support team informing us and them that along with the huge build disruption it will most certainly close our business. Again ignored.
• Over 100 vehicle movements a day happen on Ashwell Street. As customers you will know just how hard we work to keep the street clear and accessible for the residents—there have been zero complaints in all our years here and emergency services have always been able to access when needed. Yet that’s not reflected in the plan.
• The proposed new junction removes right turns into and out of Ashwell Street. Add in new bike lanes and zero traffic management, and St James Place will be chaos. See if you can work out how you safely get to us on the image ??
• LCRCA and LCC say they’re committed to “ ” and “ ,” but this decision proves the complete opposite.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get worse…
We were offered a piece of land facing our entrance that we’ve maintained for over 20 years for the local residents —perfect for secure, 24-hour customer parking. We were told we could only use it as a car park. Ideal, right?
Then the sale was pulled. Why? The trees on the land were protected.
Fair enough, we thought. Some of those trees were older than me, so we accepted the decision.
But just weeks later, we watched—in disbelief—as those very trees were cut down. Turns out the railway bought the land and cleared it for the station.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Baltic Railway Station proposal goes to Planning Committee next Tuesday, April 22nd at 11:30 AM, at the Town Hall, Dale Street.
Please feel free to come along and lend your support.
After 40 years of service, we’ve been given just 3 minutes to make our case.
Three minutes !
If any of our incredible customers have ideas, influence, or ways to help, now’s the time.
We’ll keep you posted on what happens next week.
Thank you for all your support and kind words—it means the world to us.
