Hampstead squatters occupy derelict shop in South End Road as developer heads to court
Squatters are occupying the vacant 37-39 South End Road, formerly Monica clothes shop. Picture: Michael Boniface - Credit: Archant
A Hampstead landlord is taking court action to remove squatters from a derelict shop in South End Road.
Pret a Manger is expected to move into the property. Picture: Michael Boniface - Credit: Archant
Developer The Arch Company has applied for an injunction to remove the occupants of 37-39 South End Road, formerly Monica clothes shop, after the leaseholder was notified of squatters last Thursday (February 6).
High street food chain Pret a Manger is expected to move into the vacant commercial property, which has been empty for more than a-year-and-a-half, once Network Rail - owner of the site - has granted permission for repair works.
A spokesperson for The Arch Company said: "We are pursuing all legal options available to us to secure their removal as soon as possible.
"We have been actively marketing the property since it was vacated and have interest from a potential tenant (Pret).
The landlord is taking legal action to remove the current occupants. Picture: Michael Boniface - Credit: Archant
You may also want to watch:
"As a responsible landlord, we are working to look after the interests of our tenants and local communities and investing in our property estate to bring hundreds of vacant arches back into use."
Squatting in a non-residential building is not a crime, unless damage is caused or an eviction notice has been served by the local authorities.
Most Read
- 1 Man in hospital after stabbing in Crouch End
- 2 Cyclist dies after Crouch End car door crash, police appeal for witnesses
- 3 Camden Covid-19 vaccine bus comes to JW3
- 4 Highgate residents challenge plans for 'intrusive' 16-metre 5G mast
- 5 Camden's £50k Covid-19 fall in house prices bucks north London trend
- 6 Nazanin's family 'still waiting' and expect Iran ordeal to pass 2,000 days
- 7 Builders finish first block in controversial Hornsey Town Hall development
- 8 Jimmy C obituary: Crouch End blues musician who 'brought so much love'
- 9 'Ejiofor leadership took significant steps to improve social care services'
- 10 'Antisemitic abuse was aimed at me because of my kippah' says faith leader
South End Road resident Peter Marigold said care and consideration must be afforded to squatters who are often in a vulnerable position.
"I haven't seen any problems caused by the squatters so far and I walk past the derelict shop twice a day with my children. None whatsoever," he said, adding: "We have several long-term homeless people that I know in the local area, which is extremely sad. They sleep in doorways on the floor, even during winter and during storms. I'm guessing the squatters would like to have a home of their own so that they're not just sleeping on the street in the cold."
The view from the back of the building. Picture: Michael Boniface - Credit: Archant
But Kamlesh Patel, owner of next-door shop Hampstead Heath Pharmacy, said he was concerned for the safety of his business.
He added: "It is an issue of security because you never know what can happen to my shop when I am not here at night."
Homelessness charity Shelter says squatting can lead to eviction and arrest, but is often a last resort.
More information on squatting can be found at www.shelter.org.uk.
