LESS than a year since completion of the $10 million Midland Railway Square, a business owner has branded the deserted precinct a waste of money and a ghost town — and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority admits it has run out of cash for the project.

Struggling to stay afloat and with his parent’s home on the line, Sam Oakes believes he was sold a pup by the MRA and that it has abandoned the revitalisation in favour of more prominent projects, such as Yagan Square, Elizabeth Quay and Scarborough.

Confirming Mr Oakes’ worst fears, the MRA said funding for the project, including for events to bring people to the square, had been slashed in the last State Budget. Planning Minister Rita Saffioti conceded the “tight fiscal environment” meant “some expenditure had been reduced with priority focused on project completion”.

The MRA’s plans for a makeover of the historic railway workshops were unveiled in mid-2016, touted by then planning minister Donna Faragher as a “dynamic urban village” where “people can live, work and invest”.

Encouraged by the MRA’s involvement in the project — and the promise of a slew of events to attract visitors to the area — Mr Oakes and partner Jayde Ashworth took out a $250,000 line-of-credit loan against Mr Oakes’ parents’ home and signed their lease last April. After opening in October, their cafe, Syd & Phyllis, remains the only business in the forgotten square, with construction at two facing lots yet to begin.

Camera Icon Sam Oakes and partner Jayde Ashworth own cafe Syd & Phyllis at Midland Railway Square. They believe the square is already falling apart and looks terrible, which in turn is killing the business. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times

Besides an Anzac Day ceremony to mark the official opening of the precinct, Mr Oakes said the MRA had failed to stage a single event to breathe life into the precinct.

“We were told there was going to be some kind of spring carnival and following that not happening, we were told there would be a Christmas event, and that didn’t happen either,” he said.

“In January we got hold of someone at the MRA and were told their budget had been stripped and they had no money left for the area whatsoever.”

Not one person was visible in the square when The Sunday Times visited at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Oakes points to exposed furniture screws, many of which have already had to be replaced, and discoloured timber chairs and flooring as further evidence of the redevelopment’s shortcomings.

“All of the timber was a deep jarrah colour when it was put in and within six weeks it had faded and warped, and now looks 10 years old,” Mr Oakes said.

The MRA said it shared Mr Oakes’ concerns about the quality of the furniture and finishes and was working with the consultant team to find solutions.

Ms Saffioti said the area would get more foot traffic as more residential developments were completed.

“I will speak to the MRA about what they can do about future events and opportunities to support local business,” she said.

Midland MLA Michelle Roberts said she had written to Ms Saffioti to express her concerns about the lack of activity.

“I am really keen to see the promised events occur and for Midland Railway Square to become the promised hub of activity,” she said.