Since Birmingham’s Pineapple Road train station reopened for the first time since 1941, the street has enjoyed a renewed buzz, drawing locals from Kings Heath and Stirchley eager to catch the train or enjoy a stroll. Yet, amidst this fresh energy, one of the street’s most charming gems often goes unnoticed—Pineapple House, a small but vibrant community hub with a rich 90-year history.
Located at 171 Pineapple Road, Pineapple House is home to the Dads Lane Community Association. Founded in the late 1930s by neighbours committed to supporting each other, the house has been a beacon of togetherness through the decades. From hosting parties, fetes, clubs, and meetings to even serving as a GP surgery during challenging times, it has been a cornerstone of community life during the old railway station’s heyday and beyond.
Now revitalised alongside the reopening of the train station—complete with a freshly landscaped front garden thanks to the construction workers responsible for the station rebuild—Pineapple House thrives as never before. Inside, the welcoming “Good To Go” coffee shop serves commuters and locals alike with great coffee, fresh bakes (including a signature pineapple upside-down cake), smoothies, and a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
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The coffee shop operates a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ model every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from 10 am to 12 pm, encouraging visitors to spend what they can while enjoying crafts, toys, books, and free WiFi—a modern amenity that would have amazed visitors nearly a century ago.
The community spirit continues throughout the week, with events like bingo and baked potato Fridays, book clubs, creative crafts, walking groups for over-50s, quiz nights, exercise sessions, drama clubs, and board game evenings. Upstairs, rentable rooms host therapists and meetings, offering cozy spaces with historic fireplaces, a kitchen, and necessary amenities.
The Community Hall downstairs doubles as a lively party venue, opening onto a garden soon to be further improved with safe play areas and toys for children.
Steve Squires, a long-time Birmingham resident since 2000 and foster parent, took over Pineapple House’s stewardship in 2019 with friends. Faced with a building in decline, they stepped in to preserve this beloved space. “We didn’t really want to take it on at first, but nobody else would. We knew we couldn’t lose this space to the community,” Steve reflects.
Today, about 360 visitors use the centre weekly, from families hosting birthday parties to local groups enjoying social activities. Steve highlights the emotional connection many share with Pineapple House—a place where generations have created memories.
National Lottery funding has been instrumental in the recent transformation of Pineapple House into a colourful, inviting space, alongside hands-on contributions from community volunteers and Volker Fitzpatrick’s construction team, who meticulously crafted the period-style brickwork at the front.
The “Good To Go” coffee shop, open from 7 am to 9 am to serve early commuters, is currently a trial—aimed at gauging local interest and support. Steve is optimistic but mindful: “Without National Lottery funding, we couldn’t afford to experiment. It’s having that financial freedom to try new things that’s been incredible.”
For visitors, the coffee and cakes are not just delicious—they’re a symbol of community spirit and resilience in a historic local haven, a place perfectly suited for this new chapter of Birmingham’s Pineapple Road.