BARCLAYS has evicted anti-austerity protesters who hoped to turn an empty former bank into a community centre.

Bailiffs in orange jackets threw out the campaigners who were in the former branch in Preston Road, Brighton, shortly after 7am yesterday.

Police attended the ‘Radical Bank’ in case there were any public order problems but stood down at 7.45am after the protesters left peacefully.

Pictures posted on social media by the campaigners show it was being used as a food bank and community space. Messages in graffiti on the walls included: “You can’t evict an idea”, “riot is the voice of the unheard”, “people are dying on the streets and this building is empty,” and “to be continued”.

Campaigners said they were sad they could not stay in the building but added their crusade would continue.

The eviction came after lawyers acting for the banking giant took the campaigners to court on Tuesday after they took over the building.

The bank has now announced the building will be used as space for not-for-profit and community groups, social enterprises, entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. Visitors will not need to bank with Barclays.

It will open in the Autumn.