Homelessness protest on roof of old cinema
ANTI-AUSTERITY protesters climbed on top of the Cornerhouse building where they are living to highlight homelessness.
Police and fire crews were called to Oxford Road around midday on Tuesday after a group of men were seen on the former cinema’s roof.
Roads were closed off and emergency crews spoke to the men.
A group of squatters have been living in the building for around four months and say they offer a sanctuary, called Loose Space, for homeless people to come and get help.
Bailiffs arrived on Tuesday morning to remove the group on behalf of Network Rail, who own the building, as it is earmarked as a site for new flats, offices, and a hotel. The officials left without removing the occupants.
The group claim that more than 4,000 people, including rough sleepers and volunteers, have been through the doors in the last four months and up to 70 people shelter there each night.
Chris, 42, from Salford, has been homeless for five years and joined the protest. He said: “We have had people in here every night who were sleeping rough. Every night there is a hot meal that is free for them. The council will not do anything about it.
“We have had enough. This is Manchester. We do things differently around here.”
Coun Paul Andrews, executive member for adult health and wellbeing said: “We are sceptical of the numbers they are quoting.
“We provide a range of services to help secure accommodation for people who find themselves homeless or on the streets and we work alongside our faith and voluntary sector partners to provide a wide range of support and accommodation. We have put in place an expanded dedicated rough sleeper team, we are investing an extra £1.5m to improve support services to help prevent people them becoming homeless and we are working with partners to help the most entrenched rough sleepers.”
Network Rail, who own the building, said discussions were ongoing to seek a safe resolution to the problem.
The MEN has pledged to support and publicise the Manchester Homelessness Charter. If you are affected by issues surrounding homelessness in any way, or if you want to do something to help, you can go to: streetsupport.net.