This morning, bailiffs along with a representative of Tameside Borough Council turned up to evict around thirty homeless people who have taken refuge in Old Colony House, which was formerly Pizza Express, off King Street in Manchester city centre.
They were unable to gain entry, and officers from Greater Manchester Police, who were assisting, offered at least a day for the occupiers to provide details of those living in the building to pass onto housing services to see if there's any help that can be given.
"This is them fulfilling their needs assessment before they evict" said Danny Jones from the Manchester Activist Network, which has now also lodged an appeal against the court possession order.
"All indications are that if we don't get this appeal granted, the eviction will take place on Friday and we are asking for more support then" added Danny "We are asking supporters to go to the Manchester Activist Network Facebook page for further news."
Tameside Borough Council is acting on behalf of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund which owns the building. The Fund, which has assets of over £17billion, holds pension money for the vast majority of public sector workers in the region.
For a full background see previous Salford Star articles – click here and click here
Photos by Steven Speed