Couple’s plea to Yarra Trams to get their Middle Park light rail cafe back on track

Eighteen months after their Middle Park light rail station cafe burnt down, the couple behind the much-loved coffee spot says Yarra Trams is preventing them from getting back on track.

Kate and Richard Anstee have run the Mart 103 Cafe at Middle Park tram station for more than six years. Picture: Tony Gough

THE couple who ran the much-loved Mart 130 Cafe at Middle Park tram station which burnt down 18 months ago are frustrated at not being able to get their business back on track.

Kate and Richard Anstee are ready to run their now rebuilt cafe but Yarra Trams shocked the couple by terminating their lease without warning or reason.

“The building is vacant and waiting to fit out, we just don’t understand,’’ Mr Anstee said.

The cafe was a favourite of the neighbourhood and also tourists who loved its charm. The cafe even featured in a Singapore government tourist promotion for Melbourne.

“We were advised by Yarra Trams said the handover date was July 1, 2019 but this has been and gone.” said Mr Anstee.

Kate and Richard Anstee want to return to Mart 103 Cafe at Middle Park station. Picture: Tony Gough

The shock decision to then end the lease came after almost six months of legal negotiations and red tape including a notice to double the rent.

Ms Anstee said she had been told the rent increase was to “maximise the return to the taxpayer’’.

“We are a small business and just want to get back to doing what we love, to supporting our family and making an honest living.

“We’ve lost our income through no fault of our own.

“We have been told by Yarra Trams that their obligation is to the state government, not us. We just can’t get a break.”

Fire destroyed the Middle Park light rail station and cafe on February 20. 2018. Picture: David Crosling

The Anstees were cleared of fault by MFB investigators and hoped to resume trade at Mart 130 which they had run for more than six 1/2 years.

The fire was caused by an unearthed power point on the neighbouring station building and accelerated by white ant damage in the Yarra Trams managed building.

A Yarra Trams spokesperson said tenancy arrangements would be finalised once the building has been certified by Port Phillip Council.

A Facebook post by Martin Foley on July 26, 2018, backing the rebuilding of the Mart Cafe at Middle Park tram station.

“The new structure has been built to meet current building, access and safety standards whilst retaining the look and feel of the original architecture, ensuring the area’s historic character is maintained.”

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Some changes had been made to the structure to meet current building standards included alterations to the platform shelter.

Albert Park state MP Martin Foley supported the renewal of the cafe, in a Facebook post in June last year.

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@IanRoyall