Students rally to save beloved Selly Oak café from demolition
A beloved café in Selly Oak, Birmingham, faces demolition after 16 years of serving students and locals. Dream Grill House and Café is run by Helen and her husband, Nabil, acting as a community hub and a home away from home for many, but its future now hangs in the balance amid legal disputes and redevelopment plans that threaten its closure.
Known affectionately as ‘Dream’, the cosy breakfast café on Bristol Road has become a staple for University of Birmingham students - famous for its hearty, yet affordable, breakfasts. Owner Helen has sponsored various university sports teams over the years, including Sailing, Tennis, and Men’s Rugby, and is known for her kind demeanour, always greeting customers with a smile and ready for a chat.
The situation took a dramatic turn this month when the café’s landlord, Blu Investments Limited, allegedly changed the locks without prior notice, forcibly shutting down the business even though the lease was still active. The landlord then placed a possession notice in the café’s window. Helen and Nabil now prepare to take legal action to defend their livelihood and protect the community they have created over almost two decades.
The closure has sparked outrage among students and residents, but this is not the first time Dream has faced permanent closure. A Change.org petition started by student Tavie Hynes called on authorities to halt the closure of the café in 2024, labelling Dream ‘the heart of our community.’ On The University of Birmingham’s student-run Facebook group ‘Fab and Fresh’, student Olivia Boutell urged locals to ‘Save our Dreams,’ calling it ‘a second home for many.’ Olivia’s heart-wrenching post garnered over 400 reactions of sympathy, with comments flooding in praising the much-loved food spot.
Dream has been the constant for many Selly Oak residents. Danielle Chesher, a 3rd year student at the University of Birmingham, shared her sentiments with Redbrick. Danielle said, ‘My first date with my current partner was there, it feels like a big part of Selly Oak’s community will be lost if they are forced into permanent closure.’
As the case prepares to head to court, supporters are continuing to rally online and in person to keep the café open. Dream isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a part of Selly Oak’s identity.