Homeless Group Vow To Carry On Squatting

The Chester squatters have recently been evicted from their fourth squat – but decided to borrow shopping trolleys from Tesco’s store to help with their removals.

Leader Wayne Lammond bumped into police officers while pushing the trolleys down Foregate Street, reports CheshireLive. Reluctantly officers agreed the four trolleys could be borrowed but must be returned. The removal operation was sparked after enforcement officers turned up to evict a group of about 20 homeless people from Knights Court in Weaver Street following an eviction order being granted by Chester County Court last Wednesday.

This is the fourth empty premises to be occupied by the group in five weeks in what has been described as a protest at the council failing to provide adequate help and accommodation.  The group are already lining up their next squat.

So far Cheshire police have adopted a softly-softly approach to the situation but patience is wearing thin. Attempts are being made to engage with the group to work out a long-term solution.

The squatters moved in to Knights Court on Wednesday, November 6, where a £500,000 renovation was recently carried out. They claim the doors were unlocked but property agents, Legat Owen, allege CCTV footage shows the front doors were forced. The group had use of electricity, heating, hot water and toilets but are now back out in the cold although Cheshire West and Chester Council has always claimed help and accommodation is available.

Originally a 30-strong group occupied the upper floors of Hamilton House above the council’s homeless assessment hub as a protest. After being evicted on World Homeless Day (November 10th) they moved into Raymond House and Diocesan House, next to Telford’s Warehouse, until another court order was granted. Next they arrived at the former Northgate Medical Centre building where they stayed until Monday, November 14th, when bailiffs arrived to enforce an eviction order.

The squatters say their protest will continue over the winter months as they hop from empty premises to empty premises.