Cafe Moto owner blames Carrum level crossing removal works for financial woes

A Carrum eatery with a cult following is more than $25,000 in debt and on the brink of closure, leaving them no choice but to call for public donations to stay afloat. And they’ve laid the blame for their woes squarely on the state government.

Cafe Moto is at risk of closing due to level crossing removal works. Picture: Josie Hayden

A hugely popular cafe in Carrum is in danger of closing down, with the owner saying level crossing removal works have left her family in financial ruin.

Cafe Moto owner Liz Jones, who has run the eatery with husband Peter for four years, said they were more than $25,000 in debt due to ongoing works in the area.

Ms Jones said she was “devastated” as road crews, power companies and other workers linked to the crossing removal “completely” blocked off the shop in April.

She said sales at business plummeted 53 per cent as a result.

“We’re standing in an empty shop and even our customers are telling us workers are forcing them away and not allowing them to park around the business,” Ms Jones said.

She said she was disheartened as the government had offered no financial support to businesses affected by the works.

“Small businesses such as ours need immediate financial assistance and a genuine marketing campaign to help through these hard times,” she said.

“Even when we go back to normal trade it could take up to three years to make up the earnings.”

To add to the financial stress, Ms Jones said her husband was also in hospital with a serious back injury.

“It has been a really difficult time but I want to thank the community who have reached out to us and offered their overwhelming support,” she said.

Ms Jones said she had started an online fundraiser to help ease financial woes, which would go towards staff income and paying debt owed to suppliers.

Her daughter, Sian Jones, 23, who also works at the cafe, said she was “heartbroken”.

“It’s been very upsetting for all of us, I’m really hoping for a good outcome for us and the community.”

Barista Sian Jones is heartbroken by the cafe’s financial stress. Picture: Josie Hayden

Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said she empathised with business owners and urged people to shop in their communities.

“Small-business owners work really hard every day and that’s why we need to support our local shopping strips during these times,” Cr Oxley said.

“The council will certainly assist Cafe Moto in any way we can, even if that includes (just) advocacy.”

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Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum founder Cameron Howe said the new bridge should have been finished before works on sky rail began, to minimise disruption and downturn in trade.

“We need to get behind local restaurateurs, who offer niche dining opportunities that bring our local community to life,” Mr Howe said.

Level Crossing Removal Project ­southern program project director Adam Maguire said the authority had worked hard to ensure residents and businesses in Carrum were kept up to date and informed about all our works, including disruptions.

“Our team in Carrum has worked in collaboration with Cafe Moto and other traders to maintain access to their businesses for customers and suppliers since the project began.”

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