14/05/2026
It is with the heaviest of hearts I’m writing this. Yesterday morning, my beloved mum Julia — the heart, the soul, the beating pulse of Ju Ju’s for the past 18 years — passed away.
Most of you will have known her the moment you walked through the door. The woman bustling around Ju Ju’s who already knew your order. Who remembered your name. Who asked after your mum, your kids, your job interview — and genuinely wanted to know the answer. Who made this little café feel like the warmest place in Birmingham on even the coldest days.
Mum built Ju Ju’s from nothing. Eighteen years ago she had a vision, a fierce work ethic, and absolutely no intention of doing anything by halves. What she created wasn’t just a café. It was a community. A place where strangers became regulars and regulars became friends. A place that carried her name above the door because every single thing about it — the warmth, the welcome, the heart of it — was entirely, unmistakably her.
She was the most devoted mum and a besotted grandmother to my little boy, who she adored beyond words. She was funny and straight talking and fiercely loyal. She didn’t do fuss. She didn’t do pretence. What you saw was what you got — and what you got was extraordinary.
In her final weeks Mum was cared for with such tenderness and compassion by the incredible team at Birmingham Hospice — first through their hospice at home service, which meant she could spend her last days surrounded by the people and things she loved, and finally at their Selly Park hospice, where she was treated with a dignity and gentleness that our family will never forget. In the hardest moments of our lives they were quietly, steadily extraordinary. We are forever grateful.
If my mum’s life meant something to you — and I know it did — we have created a memorial page where you can share your memories of her, light a candle, and make a donation to Birmingham Hospice in her name.
Julia’s memorial page:
julia-pallister.muchloved.com
Every memory shared means the world to us. Every donation goes directly to caring for people across Birmingham and their families at the moments that matter most — exactly as they cared for ours.
I also want to say something from the bottom of my heart to the incredible team here at Ju Ju’s. While I have been by my mum’s side going through the hardest weeks of our lives, these remarkable people kept this place going. Short staffed, overstretched, and carrying their own grief for a boss they loved — they showed up every single day and gave absolutely everything they had. Thank you to Ish, Marie, Aisha, Barry and Liv. My mum would have been so proud of every one of them. I am so proud of every one of them. Thank you will never feel like enough but — thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Ju Ju’s is closed for now. What the future holds for this little place I love so much — I don’t yet know.
To every person who sat at one of her tables, ordered one of her coffees, brought their children in on a Saturday morning, sheltered from the rain, had their first date, marked a birthday, or simply came in because they knew my mum would make them feel welcome — thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
She knew your faces. She treasured every single one of you. You were never just customers to her. You were her people.
Please visit her memorial page and leave a memory. It would mean everything to us to hear your stories of her. To know the moments she made special for you. To keep her alive in every way we can.
Rest easy Mum. You came from nothing and you built something beautiful. You always did things your way. Right until the very end.
I love you forever.
Beatrice x
