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Squatters take over former Brighton Co-op building (From The Argus)
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Squatters take over former Brighton Co-op building
11:10am Thursday 17th May 2012 in News By Ben Parsons
The former Co-op building in London Road, Brighton, now occupied by squatters
Squatters have moved in to an empty former department store.
A notice has been stuck on the inside of the doors of the Co-op building in London Road, Brighton, informing passers-by that “we live in this property, it is our home and we intend to stay here”.
The occupation came as activists prepare for an “international squatting convergence” in the city involving activists from around the UK and France this weekend.
Top-floor windows were open and lights were on in the first floor of the building yesterday (May 16).
A symbol used by the Squatters Network of Brighton had been drawn on several windows.
A spokeswoman for the group declined to comment on whether the building had been occupied as part of the convergence, which is taking place from tomorrow (May 18) until Sunday, May 20.
The location of the event had not been released yesterday (May 16), but the group’s website gave only a phone number for participants to call for directions.
But the website did read: “There is space in the building for everyone to sleep – please bring sleeping bags and blankets, it might be a bit chilly, and something to sleep on, like a roll mat. There will be quiet spaces as well for sleeping.”
The former Co-op department store has struggled to attract developers since its closure in February 2007.
The only proposal, which was for student flats, was knocked back by the council’s planning committee in December last year.
A man living in London Terrace, at the back entrance to the shop, said he saw people climbing over the fence two nights ago and assumed they were squatters.
A 50-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she had seen people on the roof of the building.
She said: “We can’t go into our garden.
“They have got stickers up and their logos on the window.
“It is going to be awful come the weekend. We can’t find out what’s happening.”
Philip Wells, chairman of the London Road local action team – the community group which helps set police priorities for the area – said: “The building obviously presents a target.
“The sooner it can be brought back into some sort of legitimate use the better.”
A spokeswoman for the event declined to comment on the numbers expected to arrive but said the event was not aimed at the public.
She said more than 20 workshops are planned, as well as a children’s area and vegan kitchen.
She said: “It is a private event essentially for people who squat.
“It is not a public-type social centre, it is a private event for people who are in the same position who are being made illegal.”
A spokesman for the Co-op said: “We have been made aware of the situation and are considering the options that are open to us.”
Plans to redevelop the Co-op site are in limbo. Would you rather see squatters living there than leave the building empty?
Comments(37)
wharrgarbl
says...
11:42am Thu 17 May 12
fascinator
says...
11:43am Thu 17 May 12
billy goat-gruff
says...
11:55am Thu 17 May 12
inadaptado
says...
11:58am Thu 17 May 12
Well, I'll tell you your only option: rent the space to the squatters. Nobody is going to buy you that monster anyway.
spa301
says...
11:59am Thu 17 May 12
true-brightonian
says...
12:01pm Thu 17 May 12
Indigatio
says...
12:33pm Thu 17 May 12
Umm - who is paying for the electricty then?
Archie Bun
says...
12:34pm Thu 17 May 12
toldsloth
says...
1:20pm Thu 17 May 12
As for "who is paying for the electricity" - that would be The Co-Operative Society who are the buildings owners!
Stop and think people - how would you feel if somebody pitched up and started using your electricity?!
Why does a certain group think they have the right to smash their way into somebody elses property and have free use of their services is beyond me!
pugwash200
says...
1:21pm Thu 17 May 12
Perhaps the lady is afraid of guerilla gardeners messing with her begonias
Goldenwight
says...
1:25pm Thu 17 May 12
spa301 wrote:I've never yet met a squatter who was either respectful of the property or their neighbours. Not that they don't exist, but they are in a distinct minority in my opinion.
Totally agree with the above comments. Long term empty building so why not, as long as they're respectful of the property and neighbours. I'm also confused why the lady can't go in her garden, and for that matter why the power's still connected to the building.
There's no reason, incidentally, why squatters should not apply to utility companies to have services connected- provided they pay the bills, they will be supplied.
MuammarQaddafi
says...
1:52pm Thu 17 May 12
Ballroom Blitz
says...
2:20pm Thu 17 May 12
Incidentally, if these people are penniless - how come they can afford the Internet? That's not free yet, as far as I know.
alexwildcat
says...
3:03pm Thu 17 May 12
Sincerely,
Alex Casper
Conceptual Research Architecture Bureau
ShockedInBrighton
says...
3:04pm Thu 17 May 12
Wendywoodlandh
says...
3:06pm Thu 17 May 12
true-brightonian
says...
7:34pm Thu 17 May 12
Fact: If you are unemployed then you don't pay council tax.
Another comment was about the Internet not being free. As a matter of fact there are many ways to get free Internet access, e.g. the public library, schools, colleges, many cafes, etc., all have free access to the Internet. Or maybe the poster feels we should make people start paying for access to libraries, schools, colleges and cafes as well? That would be an even sadder world than it already is.
gaz scott
says...
8:17pm Thu 17 May 12
true-brightonian wrote:Ballroom Blitz doesn't get out much.
Some interesting lack of logic in a few of these comments. On the one hand they accuse the squatters of not paying tax, and on the other they complain about the fact they are unemployed.
Fact: If you are unemployed then you don't pay council tax.
Another comment was about the Internet not being free. As a matter of fact there are many ways to get free Internet access, e.g. the public library, schools, colleges, many cafes, etc., all have free access to the Internet. Or maybe the poster feels we should make people start paying for access to libraries, schools, colleges and cafes as well? That would be an even sadder world than it already is.
gaz scott
says...
8:21pm Thu 17 May 12
ShockedInBrighton wrote:"I have never been happier than i was watching you all get kicked out of the st. james street squat."
Middle class kids with rich parents trying to different man... off the grid man... pass the ketamine man... IF I HAVE TO WORK, PAY TAX AND PAY FOR MY HOME SO SHOULD YOU... I have never been happier than i was watching you all get kicked out of the st. james street squat. I witnessed first hand the aggression and sheer sicking belief the world owes you a favour... PATHETIC
That says more about your life than theirs.
toldsloth
says...
8:49pm Thu 17 May 12
alexwildcat wrote:You sir are sadly out of touch with reality;
With all due respect, some of us appear to prefer to create our own culture, rather than sit in diapers and be spoonfed by Weatherly and his corporate cronies. The convergence is not happening in the Cooperative. I have information that residents are in fact members of the Cooperative, and have decided to exercise a right of membership. We are preparing a motion of no-confidence in the leadership of the Southern Cooperative. Meanwhile, if the utility companies or administration of the cooperative choose to send them a bill, your question about whether said squatters will pay will indeed be relevant. Most likely, they will respond with a disgusting claim of violence and intimidation instead. Wouldn't be the first time. Sincerely, Alex Casper Conceptual Research Architecture Bureau
"exercise a right of membership" - so this give you the right to break and eneter does it because "members" are "exercising a right of membership"?
What planet are you on?
IT IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY!!
LoopyLouHove
says...
9:29am Fri 18 May 12
AmboGuy
says...
11:03am Fri 18 May 12
Baldseagull
says...
2:43pm Fri 18 May 12
true-brightonian wrote:It is irksome to those that pay taxes, that some freeload, with no intention of contributing anything to society (unless you are a fan of junk art).
Some interesting lack of logic in a few of these comments. On the one hand they accuse the squatters of not paying tax, and on the other they complain about the fact they are unemployed.
Fact: If you are unemployed then you don't pay council tax.
Another comment was about the Internet not being free. As a matter of fact there are many ways to get free Internet access, e.g. the public library, schools, colleges, many cafes, etc., all have free access to the Internet. Or maybe the poster feels we should make people start paying for access to libraries, schools, colleges and cafes as well? That would be an even sadder world than it already is.
There would be no free internet in Libraries, Schools and Colleges if none of us paid taxes, in fact, no free libraries, schools and colleges.
I agree, that would be a sadder world.
Get a job and pay your taxes if you think Libraries, Schools, the NHS, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, Foster Carers, Street Cleaners, Play Centres, Parks etc are worth maintaining.
Alternatively, claim benefits, live in a squat, beg and steal and just let the rest of us pay for all the Public services.
Then complain that the heartless Government doesn't provide enough for you and wants to criminalise the act of appropriating something that does not belong to you and you have not paid for in any way.
Just don't try to sit on a high horse at the same time.
boblat
says...
6:24pm Fri 18 May 12
AmboGuy
says...
7:45pm Fri 18 May 12
WHO IS PAYING FOR THE ELECTRICITY INSIDE THE BUILDING?
It's not a rhetorical question, I genuinely want to know.
Nosfaratu
says...
12:59pm Sat 19 May 12
Nosfaratu
says...
1:32pm Sat 19 May 12
The Baron Pepperpot
says...
8:58pm Sat 19 May 12
The Baron Pepperpot
says...
9:00pm Sat 19 May 12
AmboGuy wrote:I assume the current owners. Unless it has been turned off.
OK I'll ask again:
WHO IS PAYING FOR THE ELECTRICITY INSIDE THE BUILDING?
It's not a rhetorical question, I genuinely want to know.
boblat
says...
11:07pm Sat 19 May 12
All those ridiculous charges have, so far, only gone on paying Council officials and keeping those Plebs in their fancy lifestyle..NOW we should be looking to help people and kids blown out of their homes by wars waged by the real s..t bags of society....Let me open a large Charity Store ASAP and we will all together show what CO- Operation really means!!
I did it 30 years ago with 'Bargain City' in Western Road, so it will be a DODDLE to me....Gissabit Gov????
boblat
says...
11:49pm Sat 19 May 12
le innit????
Bmju22
says...
9:03am Sun 20 May 12
billy goat-gruff wrote:Agree
Why can't she go into her garden? has that been squatted too? Good luck to them, empty buildings should be occupied!
RottingdeanRant
says...
12:35pm Sun 20 May 12
Moulsecoomb farmer
says...
11:22pm Sun 20 May 12
boblat wrote:Sounds like a good plan, the govt isn't proposing any alternatives, apart from go away. feck off and die (preferably before we're due our pension)we've got to make our own networks and co-operate..plenty of empty retail space about.it's a wasteland from the old steine down
If squatting is NOW only permissible in commercial premises, maybe we should use the retail exposure, that has only belonged to the 'Toffs' up till now as our OWN Charity Shop, without paying ANY rent, Council TAX, Electric, heating or any of the general expenses..
All those ridiculous charges have, so far, only gone on paying Council officials and keeping those Plebs in their fancy lifestyle..NOW we should be looking to help people and kids blown out of their homes by wars waged by the real s..t bags of society....Let me open a large Charity Store ASAP and we will all together show what CO- Operation really means!!
I did it 30 years ago with 'Bargain City' in Western Road, so it will be a DODDLE to me....Gissabit Gov????
Moulsecoomb farmer
says...
11:40pm Sun 20 May 12
RottingdeanRant wrote:What makes you so scared? a building which has been previously empty for over 5 years will now have a group of people living there for a week longer..do you prefer to see them on a council estate or claiming housing benefit cos even if they wanted wage-slave work (which i reckon most don't!)jobs are pretty thin on the ground
Pity that the judge this week delayed the eviction for some as yet unexplained reason.
boblat
says...
9:08am Mon 21 May 12
Moulsecoomb farmer wrote:There's a Brave man to actually AGREE with some sense....Most of em will continue hiding behind their curtains whining online..That old Co-Op is a real mess inside and out, but could still be turned into a non-profit community project as a charity for unfortunate children. It has 2 very important 'assets'! Think about it????
boblat wrote:Sounds like a good plan, the govt isn't proposing any alternatives, apart from go away. feck off and die (preferably before we're due our pension)we've got to make our own networks and co-operate..plenty of empty retail space about.it's a wasteland from the old steine down
If squatting is NOW only permissible in commercial premises, maybe we should use the retail exposure, that has only belonged to the 'Toffs' up till now as our OWN Charity Shop, without paying ANY rent, Council TAX, Electric, heating or any of the general expenses..
All those ridiculous charges have, so far, only gone on paying Council officials and keeping those Plebs in their fancy lifestyle..NOW we should be looking to help people and kids blown out of their homes by wars waged by the real s..t bags of society....Let me open a large Charity Store ASAP and we will all together show what CO- Operation really means!!
I did it 30 years ago with 'Bargain City' in Western Road, so it will be a DODDLE to me....Gissabit Gov????
gaz scott says...
11:31am Thu 17 May 12