A group of squatters have taken over the Cross Keys pub in Chelsea very soon after the new squatter laws have come into place and very much sliding past it as they are in a commercial building.
The 300 year old pub who has had past visitors that include Dylan Thomas and Bob Marley was closed earlier this year with the owner hoping to turn it into a £10 million London house complete with basement swimming pool although planning was denied.
The group of 17 squatters have decided that they somehow have the right to make money out of the building after moving in two weeks ago and announcing that they would open the pub to the community for events, an art gallery, community library and for Sunday lunches. Just why these 17 people think that they have a right to move into and take someone else’s business just because it has fallen on hard times and had to close its beyond us.
The group pinned an arrogant message to the front of the pub once they moved in that read “Hello neighbours, we are your friendly local squatters. I can assure you that we are quiet and respectful and we would love to seamlessly become a part of your community. We are keeping your pub safe and tidy until it is going to be used again.”
One of the squatters, Mariana Costa, 21, a Portuguese theatre student, told the Evening standard : “It is boarded up and empty so we can squat here. We have welcomed many members of the community in and everyone seems quite happy about us being here.”
Quite why Mariana thinks that she is entitled to a free home with no bills or council tax over and above anyone else and that doesn’t belong to her we are unsure.
What do you think about the Squatters? Entitled and doing a good job or feel they are entitled and should go rent a flat like everyone else?
Image: Kensington London Informer
