Grand Central shops react to the train strikes in Birmingham

The latest train strike is underway today (Saturday, August 20). The industrial action has halted many journeys and disrupted travel plans across the country. But it is also affecting local businesses - especially those based at Grand Central where the city’s biggest train station - New Street - is based.

BirminghamWorld spoke to several outlets at the shopping mall to find out how they were coping as there seems to be no sign of the strikes ending.

An anonymous employee at a food and drinks store in Grand Central spoke out about the tough times shops are facing. He said: “I’ll be honest because of the rail strikes on a bad day we’ve got about four customers, so basically we’ve got no business and we’re losing money.”

The said he employee understood the importance of rail strikes for those in the rail industry, but said he could not support them. “Right now who loses the most are people like me in places like my workplace. I’m working for an industry and I have lower wages than them but because of these strikes I can’t provide for me and my family. I can’t put food on the table,” said the server.

Birminghamworld also spoke to a popular shop in Grand Central, like the food and drink vendor they did not want to be named in our story. The shop worker said: “The stores are quieter even before and after rail strikes. We’re seeing a drop in footfall for customers.”

“My views on the rail strikes are a bit more negative as I get the train to work and so it massively impacts me getting to work so I have that personal opinion. But I am on their side because I think it’s within their right to fight for their own pay,” shared the cashier.

The general consensus from the Grand Central businesses is that the services at the shopping mall are losing out from the rail strikes - but most are in support of the strikes as although it makes life more difficult for them they recognise that that the strikers are just exercising their right.

However, the irony is the workers on strike will still get paid whilst businesses in train stations around the country will suffer a loss.

The next few strikes will occur over this weekend from Friday the 19th August till  Saturday the 20th August and so try to avoid travelling by train if you can help it.

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