Squatters take over Soho offices to create a hub for London's homeless people

[editor]

Great work:

Squatters have taken over a former office block in the heart of Soho in the latest occupation of central London’s most prestigious addresses.

The derelict five-storey Victorian building in Frith Street, which is due to be transformed into a restaurant and luxury flats, is being used by activists who moved in at the weekend intending to create a hub for the capital’s homeless...

The John Lewis Pensions Partnership Trust last year submitted an application to turn the building into ten flats and a ground-floor restaurant with a new penthouse apartment overlooking central London.

The block is the former base of digital agency Reading Room which used the upper floor as a gallery hosting contemporary art exhibitions. It was sold to the pension fund for £14.5million in 2006.

The activists today said they wanted to “embarrass Westminster council and people in positions of power by doing the work they should be doing.”

Jon, a member of Street Kitchen, said “We want to offer a safe space policy to vulnerable and homeless people - no drugs, no violence, racism or sexism.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/lond...ns-homeless-people-10208515.html?icn=ticker-2

 

[Belushi]

Good luck to them :thumbs :

 

[passenger]

i bet its massive in there good luck
welcome to your new home

 

[editor]

Shame to see John Lewis knee deep in luxury property development.

 

[DotCommunist]

jon lewis are bellends to contract for middle managment seems to consist of wankers who think they are running the death star


good luck to these lot!

 

[Greebo]

I can't think of a place which needs safe space for homeless people more than central London, good on them.

As for paying the council to get around the social/affordable housing obligation - I have no polite words for people like that at all.

 

[Artaxerxes]

As for paying the council to get around the social/affordable housing obligation - I have no polite words for people like that at all.

Council is just as shitty for it.

Its a convenient fiction, its a bribe plain and simple and both sides know for sure those funds are not going to affordable housing anywhere.

edit: I read the comments, gah, wankers the lot of em

 

[beareis]

Natural Shoe Store in Neal Street was squatted too.

 

[Citizen66]

There's a squat just off Dean Street I noticed last week.

 

[Citizen66]

Actually it was the one on Carlisle Street mentioned in the article that they've apparently moved on from.

 

[Metal Malcolm]

One of the students at my work came in last week, somewhat perturbed that the building he's living in has been squatted, and in his words 'There's a bunch of guys downstairs having a rave and selling drugs'.

The bit that intrigued me most was the the squatters had posted a notice on the windows saying that the building was designated as non-habitable. If that's the case, surely his landlord was breaking several rules by renting him a room there?

 

[Greebo]

<snip>The bit that intrigued me most was the the squatters had posted a notice on the windows saying that the building was designated as non-habitable. If that's the case, surely his landlord was breaking several rules by renting him a room there?

You know what landlords are often like when they know they're renting to students - taking the piss is a given.

 

[editor]

I popped into see them. It's a big space. I'll post some photos up later.

 

[editor]

Here's my photo feature:

Squatters take over Soho offices to create a hub for London’s growing homeless

 

[Citizen66]

That's some nice space they have there. More groups need to get behind this stuff as it ties in with all the various housing actions.

 

[editor]

I was touched by their generosity. They're clearly short of money but I was immediately offered smokes and some cider.

In return, they seem chuffed that I'd taken an interest and come down to offer my support.

 

[Citizen66]

I was touched by their generosity. They're clearly short of money but I was immediately offered smokes and some cider.

In return, they seem chuffed that I'd taken an interest and come down to offer my support.

I considered going into the previous squat when I saw it but felt I'd be intruding. Wish I had now.

 

[editor]

I considered going into the previous squat when I saw it but felt I'd be intruding. Wish I had now.

I just asked if they minded me taking a look around and they were fine.

 

[Citizen66]

Occupations are the way forward.

 

[Dan U]

Here's my photo feature:

Squatters take over Soho offices to create a hub for London’s growing homeless

Bitd that screamed rave.

Not these days I am sure though. Not worth the additional aggro

 

[Citizen66]

But when time runs out..