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ETHICAL CO-OP THREATENS MANCHESTER HOMELESS PEOPLE WITH EVICTION
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Star date: 25th August 2016 HOMELESS THREATENED WITH EVICTION FROM DUCIE BRIDGE PUB IN MIDST OF £800MILLION NOMA REGENERATION SCHEME "It's a regeneration scheme for the wealthy...whilst their people are rotting in the doorways..." Danny The so-called `ethical' Co-op is threatening around two dozen young homeless people with eviction from the Ducie Bridge pub next to its swanky new HQ in Manchester. The Co-op is a partner in the £800million NOMA regeneration scheme which owns the pub, and a notice posted on the door states `unless you vacate immediately, court action will be taken against you...' Full details here...
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"You call it the `Co-operative', why not co-operate? We're all humans; it's not all about money it's about survival..." Liam The Co-operative Group, which prides itself on its humanist ethics, is trying to evict young homeless people who have taken shelter in the empty Ducie Bridge pub, next door to its swanky new headquarters near Corporation Street in Manchester. Around twenty homeless people occupied the pub just under a week ago but a notice posted on the door from NOMA (GP) Ltd states that `unless you vacate immediately, court action will be taken against you to recover possession of the Property'. The notice adds that the homeless people are `occupying the property without the owner's permission' and to leave `in the interests of your safety' as `parts of the Property contain asbestos and have been sealed or closed off'. The occupiers argue that they aren't going near the closed off parts of the building and believe that they have a moral right to be in the building rather than on the streets: firstly because the Co-op is supposed to be ethical, and, secondly, to show the contrast between the massive public and private investment going into the NOMA scheme, and the state of homeless people in the city. NOMA is a massive £800million, twenty acre apartment and retail regeneration scheme in Manchester, and is a partnership between The Co-operative Group and Hermes Real Estate - although on Companies House, NOMA (GP) Ltd is stated as a company joint owned by the Co-op and Britel Fund Nominees, which manages the BT Pension Fund. Meanwhile, Manchester City Council has sunk £8.5million on a concrete public square at the centre of NOMA (see previous Salford Star article – click here)... "NOMA is one million square feet of residential area but how much of that is going to be affordable to anyone from Manchester? None!" insists Danny Jones, one of the homeless people inside the pub "It's a regeneration scheme for the wealthy that they are hoping to attract into the city. The Council is spending money to attract wealthy people whilst their people are rotting in the doorways. "That money could end the homeless crisis in the city" he adds "Manchester could be the front runners of ending homelessness, instead of managing it. We need to put that pressure on them publicly. We need to provide housing and the support around it that's needed, and it will save them money in police costs, hospital stays and the cost of managing homelessness. "Last year, I think Manchester City Council spent £5.6m on temporary accommodation" he explains "And that cycle is just going to continue whilst they are gentrifying areas and knocking down spaces which were for the people of Manchester." Danny adds that, from April 2017, the homeless situation is going to get worse, with housing benefit being axed for people under 25... "They're going to be on the streets and hostels aren't even going to be there for them because they're funded by housing benefits. They'll be out on the streets." Liam is 19 and has been on the streets for five years on and off... "It was safety that brought me here to this pub" he explains "Being on the streets is like being torn between drugs and people not trusting people, and that leads to more drugs; it's a vicious circle. It's amazing here. Better than being out there or in hostels where they don't give you any support or anything, and I'm someone who needs support. "They're called the `Co-operative' but where is the co-operation?" he asks "You call it the co-operative, why not co-operate? We're all humans; it's not all about money it's about survival. They should have some sort of talks to use the space that they're not using for something that could be useful. Even if they say `Right, we'll give you this place for six months, then we've got plans for it'...instead of saying `Get out of here, we don't want you here'..." The group is being supported by Angela Barratt, of Street Support Manchester and Salford, with its mantra of `changing people lives'... "We're helping them out with clothing and food, and getting charities and other organisations involved which are trying to make them a home" she explains "It stops them going out on the streets begging, getting arrested and all other issues that the Council doesn't want to help with. They're just kids and need to be looked after, and that's what we're all trying to do; to make sure they've got a home." Danny believes that the group occupying the Ducie Bridge pub will resist any attempts by NOMA to evict them... "This is a building that epitomises the reasons why we would want to resist" he says "We're going to ask for a big show of public support to resist the Co-op, and Manchester Council's complete waste of money on concrete." The Salford Star asked the Co-operative Group to comment on its actions and its ethical policies. A spokesperson for NOMA said: "NOMA has to consider the health and safety of anyone entering a vacant property particularly when we believe there is a risk to peoples' well-being. The site of the former Ducie Bridge is not safe for occupation and it would not be appropriate to put anyone at risk by allowing them to remain at the property."
*Anyone wishing to donate non-perishable food or socks to the Ducie Bridge pub occupiers can contact Angela via the Facebook group Street Support Salford and Manchester (click here) or by email barratt196624@gmail.com
*UPDATE 5th September 2016... Co-op takes homeless to court on 12th September as squatters ask the ethical company to work with them - click here
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Gaynor Heaton wrote
at 19:59:30 on 28 August 2016 |
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| Personally, I am horrified at the amount of homeless people living on the streets in both Manchester and Salford. Maybe the homeless in this situation should allow “Court Action”, but with someone defending them who knows the regulations regarding the Housing Act 2004, the Localism Act 2011 and the recent Care Act 2014. The Localism Act states; “Authorities are still obliged to ensure that social homes go to the most vulnerable in society and those who need it most". The Localism Act also states; "People who experience a homelessness crisis need somewhere suitable to live. Councils have a duty to house people who are eligible, in priority need and unintentionally homeless; and this duty will remain in place. Central Government will also continue to fund support and advice to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.” (The above are Direct quotes from the Localism Act 2011.)
Regarding the Care Act, all Councils have a Duty to safeguard vulnerable people, and if someone is living on the streets, in my opinion, they should automatically be deemed vulnerable. It is also clear that a large number of homeless people have Mental Health problems, Learning Difficulties or Autism, or a combination of all or some of the above. As such they definitely and specifically MUST class as Vulnerable. As should anyone with physical disabilities or other illness. Therefore the Council’s Social Services should be involved as soon as a homeless person’s plight is brought to their attention. So, where are the Social Workers? Where is the Social Services Team? The Care Act 2014 makes specific mention of the need for suitable housing of vulnerable people and makes it the Local Council’s responsibility.
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 15:52:23 on 28 August 2016 |
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| What an utterly disgusting situation for these poor young homeless people. I have noticed that most of the comments featured below this Salford Star story are either talking about the preservation of Public Houses, trying to spin the story into yet another political debate, or are arguing who owns the building. Most of these comments have not offered, in my opinion, any answers or practical solutions to homelessness in Salford and Manchester. In a previous article written by the Salford Star, I mentioned that there are countless Low Demand Council / Housing Assosiation Properties, that remain empty, year in, year out, because they are either in undesirable areas and / or they are in a state of poor decorative order. So although this is not ideal, a roof over your head is still a roof over your head. Every year, the Council and Housing Associations loose a great deal of money, due to the fact that they are unable to rent their Low Demand Properties. So one option to reduce homelessness in Manchester and Salford would be to rent such properties to the homeless. If we address the social issues surrounding why a person is homeless and then give them a low demand property, they can start to rebuild their lives, and would also be making money for the Council and / or Housing Associations. As far as the property contains Asbestos and that is why the homeless cannot reside in the mentoned Public House, in my opinion, this is a load of old rubbish. I live in a 1955 built, ex council tower block, which contains a high level of Asbestos. As long as that Asbestos is covered and not exposed to the tenants, this is perfectly legal. All buildings, empty or tenanted should have an up to date Asbestos Register. So for the sake of £10 and some ID, someone should do a Freedom of Information Request, and find out if the company who owns the building has an up to date Asbestos Register on the mentioned Public House. If they do not have such a document, then they should be reported to the Health and Safety Headquaters based in Liverpool. If that building is to be demolished at some point, and they have not produced an up to date Asbestos Register, then they are exposing those who are demolishing the building and the general public to lethal doses of Asbestos. So the whole eviction process could be delayed if such a document does not exist, as it would be hard for the owners of the Public House to prove that the alleged Asbestos exists, thus putting the squatters at risk. Also, if any of the homeless who reside within the building are diagnosed with a severe mental health condition, or a mental disability combined with a physical disability, then they would be deemed as a Vulnerable Young Adult. As a Vulnerable Young Adult, the council would have a duty to rehouse them under the Homelessness Act. If they refuse to undertake such an assessment, using a Section 184, ( Decision of Homlessness), and to then not rehouse the Vulnerable Young Adult using a Section 198, then Legal Aid can be obtained to force a Judicical Review, as it could be stated that the council have failed to take into account the vulnerable adults disabilities, thus breaching their Equality Duty, and breaching the current Equality Act of 2010. So any of the ideas I have mentioned, would either delay the eviction of the homeless from this Public House, and / or would actually see these homeless individuals rehoused adequately. So I would request that the readers of the Salford Star use their weath of knowledge and experience to ensure the homeless are adequately rehoused, and in my opinion, should stop trying to turn yet another sad story into a political debate, to satisfy their own political agendas. These are real human beings, not a group of pawns to be used to gain a political foot hold over their adversaries. |
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Captain Cae Os wrote
at 08:19:34 on 27 August 2016 |
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| Remember the Alamo.
MCC what happened to the Downing street Men's Hostel (Demolished) now a LAND BANK asset, maybe that was dangerous too?
The CO-OP well there's the coop group (insurance etc) and there's the Co-op bank it's now a bank with coop in the name, it's workers may help out and raise money, volunteer, but they are not the co-op bank, they don't own it. For that matter, these developments usually get sold to Investment companies Like that glass slipper shipshaped building It may offer the illusion of corporate co-operative Mutual assets, but is just sold off the books to be rented back ( a standard finance model to reduce income tax liabilities).
What we need is a Homemore housing co-operative, that is supported by the co-op, funded by co-operatives and owned by the collective (Community Land Trust model). Supported by the Co-operative Party in Manchester. For all our MUTUAL benefit. |
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J Mark Dodds wrote
at 14:43:24 on 26 August 2016 |
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| Protect Pubs is a group of people who are working to do just that...
The Ducie has just been posted up on Protect Pubs' facebook page... Sam Webster I sent you a friend request... Would you mind accepting and then joining Protect Pubs and adding some of your experience around this pub and with the Coop, who have an official policy of NOT behaving like predatory developers when it comes to pubs, please? THANKS
Anyone with an interest in protecting, preserving and enhancing pubs for future generations, please do apply to join.
Thanks again. Mark
Protect Pubs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/495447363971709/
Website: www.protectpubs.org.uk |
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wrote
at 14:43:17 on 26 August 2016 |
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| In addition to pledging and demanding, Mr. Felse “will not hesitate in signing the agreement with inward investors.”
I don’t understand. Has he a position of authority to make such agreements.
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Jane wrote
at 09:51:04 on 26 August 2016 |
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| The Co-op preemptively gave all their Manchester stores waste food to the vulnerable in Manchester and homeless,their staff have raised money and worked with homeless groups, they do loads for the local community and fund lots of projects that directly help homeless ppl in Manchester and Salford.
The cuts to services, and draconian legislation has created so many ppl to now live in ahborent situations and poverty.
MCC won't even admitted what a wide scale problem there is and has only set up a group with no teeth to placate the media. The alternative hostels and housing for young care leavers and vulnerable young adults is terrible, MCC do not listen to its services usesers about how how hostels can be scarier places then being on the streets.
Squats can be dangerous but theyre one of the only alternatives to hostels/shelters. These homeless ppl and activists are stuck between a rock and a hard place and coming together to help each other is admirable but often ppl on the streets may have just left prision,have drug and personality disorders, are vulnerable, have mental health issues and these melting pots of squats are not productive in creating positive change. Although they decrease isolation and give ppl a place to stay out of the elements.
I hope they're dealt with respect by the coop but ultimately it's MCC responsibility. |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 09:50:59 on 26 August 2016 |
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| Allow me to nail my pledge to this mast. I demand the Greater Manchester Mayor to include homelessness provision into a £5billion building plan for our boroughs. We must commit to 160,000 social housings including 13,800 shelter homes with health and wellbeing support services and £300million towards the private build investment fund for other starter homes. I will not hesitate in signing the agreement with inward investors. I do advise the Coop that it should not tarnish its chances of it being part of this better change plan for Greater Manchester. |
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Sam Webster wrote
at 05:47:08 on 26 August 2016 |
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| Firstly I would like to say that I am glad that people are making use of the building considering I was evicted from the Ducie Bridge around June/July last year when I operated as the temp manager at the time. Secondly the building does NOT contain Asbestos, OCS checked the building out just before I moved in along with GMFRS to ensure that the property had adequate fire safety. The Ducie is far from perfect but It was my home and a very important part of Manchester in my oppinion. NOMA are a bunch of backstabbing, timewasting bureaucrats and as such should be treated so, I have no respect for their ethos or approach towards the preservation of culture in Manchester. The Ducie Bridge was home to alot of people, bands AND an online radio station; not to mention the Manchester Food and Drink Company. NOMA should be ashamed of how they have conducted themselves, If it was upto me I'd let James Stannage at them!!! |
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Angela Penny Barratt wrote
at 05:47:00 on 26 August 2016 |
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| These are real peoples real lives without a home , they are bonded by there homeless, and have found a family on other , and most well educated and even work, we all could keep so many off the streets without funding , we just need a building, that all , people need to be more compassionate, especially the wealthy in our city.11 |
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Paul Waring wrote
at 05:46:45 on 26 August 2016 |
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| Yes MCC and it 11 partnering councils have doe little to no good to improve the support homeless people receive.
However we cannot hot out at the likes of the co-op I would emagin they are and have helped 1000s of people from being evicted etc...
For us they provide mortgages for property in which we accommodate homeless people. At the end of the day it the government duty not forms like the Co op.
But I also air some thoughts on attacking developers is not going to get them onside to help us. The co-op has a huge background in helping local people, communities and firms. Today in Manchester they probably help finance more start ups than any other local banks. |
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Iris wrote
at 21:15:03 on 25 August 2016 |
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| Support you all the way! MCC record on homelessness is awful, wasting money on evictions and inappropriate support. MCC is glazing Manchester up and demolishing historical buildings to appeal to the rich. What we need is help and chance for the real life blood of Manchester, the Manchester and also Salford people, including the poor and the homeless. When government benefit cuts come in November any one of us may end up homeless too and there will be a crisis. So let's stand together now. You guys should organise a big event there to get people on board and an anti bailiff action patrol perhaps so they know you won't go quietly. Team up with bailiff groups online and get people to email coop in their droves. Let's try get this building donated and done up for homeless people to get access to innovative support. |
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