TfL has been accused of not taking enough steps to support independent businesses
17:47, 02 Apr 2026Updated 08:22, 05 Apr 2026
Metin Balci, 26, had just taken over control of Old Roots café from his father when he was told his lease might not be renewed(Image: MyLondon)
A family-run café in Oval Tube station has been told its lease will not be renewed by Transport for London just one month after an expensive revamp. Old Roots café, which has operated in the London Underground station for the past 20 years, will be forced to shut by summer next year if proposed changes go ahead.
Metin Balci, 26, claims the transport authority is looking to expand the unit so they are able to charge a higher rent. “I was really surprised and shocked,” he told MyLondon. “I’ve only just taken over this business from my Dad, so the next year-and-a-half will be essentially focused on getting as much of that money back as I can.
“TfL are limiting small businesses that are trying to run in their stations. We’re all being replaced by Gail’s, Pret and Greggs, but there’s no way we can compete with them. If this continues there will be no independent businesses left in stations.”
Old Roots Café is connected to Oval Tube station (Image: MyLondon)
This potential closure follows the much-loved newsstand in Brixton Tube station shutting after owner Pritesh Patel was hit with an “impossible” rent hike. The 35-year-old business shut its doors for the final time on February 13, with a chain business in the expanded unit set to open this summer.
TfL was forced to discuss introducing a “rapid response workflow” promoting transparency to avoid a similar outrage publicised across several news organisations and social media.
Hina Bokhari, a Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, raised concerns at City Hall about TfL not taking enough steps to support independent and family-run businesses. In response to her question, the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said TfL is currently exploring the opportunity to create a better station environment in Oval, and that no decision has been made yet on lease renewals.
A spokesperson for TfL said: “We are currently looking at how we can invest in our units at Oval Tube station and have been in early discussions with the existing tenants, including Old Roots. However, no decision has been made on any lease renewals and we remain in discussions.
“The many small businesses across our estate are a much-loved part of London’s economy, making a massive difference to the customers and communities they serve across our city every day. We greatly value the variety and colour that small and medium businesses add to our estate and we are dedicated to helping them take steps to flourish with our support.
“We are also happy to meet with business owners to discuss concerns or issues with leases or rents and look to support them in any way that we can.”
TfL added that most instances of rent hikes are either associated with units being refurbished to meet the latest safety standards, or enlarged – meaning the tenants are thus charged more.
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