#LetThemStay

On the 16th of August 2016 we gained lawful entry to the former Ducie Bridge pub via an open rear window and began preparing the building to be lived in, and not for the first time.

This is the 5th building in little over 3 months that we as a group, 'Manchester Activist Network' (check us out on the old Facebook) have gained lawful entry to and used to provide a safe, secure and positive environment for between 20 and 25 previous rough sleepers. Over 20 people are recovering after being street homeless, supported by a small number of activists, kind hearted locals and community outreach teams

The building that we are now in occupation of was built in 1923 and has served as a community venue hosting the likes of Peter Kay and Jo Brand as well as hundreds of up and coming bands from Alias Kid to Death To Strange as well as being home to a community radio station 'ManchesterRadioOnline’ but is now set to be demolished as part of the NOMA regeneration scheme, the date for such a demolition is yet to be set.

NOMA is the name of the regeneration scheme being delivered by the Co-operative Group in partnership with Hermes Real Estate and Manchester City Council, it is a massive £800million pound project on land surrounding the new glass Co-op HQ. So far there's no affordable housing in the `high quality' apartment, hotel, office and retail schemes that have been announced, while £15.4million of public money from Europe and Manchester City Council has been lavished on public squares in readiness for the area's makeover.

Squatting is not the solution to the rapidly rising numbers of people finding themselves homeless as we fight our way through the worst housing crisis since World War 2, but until the Co-operative are ready to put their hand in their pockets to effectively solve this crisis, allowing us time is the least that they can do!
So, we are calling on David Pringle as the Director of NOMA to give us assurances that after the court case is heard on Monday the 12th of September you will hold off enforcing the possession order, you will hold off sending in a team of bailiffs to throw young, homeless people back onto the street, stalling the incredible progress they have made already, until the bulldozers are set to move in.

We understand that NOMA wish to evict us for 'our own health and safety' due to there being asbestos present in the property. The asbestos report that was done in preparation for demolition states that asbestos was found in the basement, an area that is sealed off and that residents do not have access to and also that asbestos was found on the underneath of a kitchen sink, the same bitumen coated asbestos that you will find on any sink, anywhere. The asbestos will only prove hazardous if disturbed and poses no risk to the occupants.

"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 opinion. NOMA are a bunch of backstabbing, time wasting 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 a lot 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 up to me I'd let James Stannage at them!!!"
- Sam Webster, Thursday, August 25, 2016, Salford Star Online

The values, as stated by the Co-operative Group are "self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity". A statement on the Group's website adds: "In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others..."
And we are calling on David Pringle to adhere to these values, please support us by signing this petition and tweeting directly to NOMA at @NOMA_mcr using the hashtag #LetThemStay.

You can find more details about the work that we have done and will continue to do on our Facebook page – Manchester Activist Network, or follow us on Twitter @MancActivists

#LetThemStay