Eviction threat to nursery invaders

September 16 2004

A group who have transformed a disused city council nursery into a community centre today vowed to stay on, despite being threatened with eviction.


Members of the Social Centre Collective reopened a disused nursery building in Selly Oak and set up a free coffee house, facilities for children and film nights.


But Birmingham City Council yesterday obtained a Possession Order to force the 20-strong group to leave the centre in Bournbrook Road.


Judge William Wood said: "I have every sympathy for the defendants who would want to make use of the facilities as a cafe, a nursery and a planned library.


"The defendants are well intentioned, but I have to apply the law." The collective refurbished the property and have held art exhibitions since they entered last month.


Birmingham County Court heard that the council served them with an eviction notice on August 19 and they were told to leave by August 21 but they ignored the order.


Collective spokeswoman Sarah Evans said: "We entered the building without breaking anything and we have transferred it back in to a usable space.


"We really want to get this wasted space back into use with the community. Local residents are using the space as well.


"We will continue what we are doing and we will speak to the council."


A city council spokesman said: "The building was unfit for use as a nursery.


"As the owner of the building the council has rightly taken action to attempt to remove people who are using it illegally. The future of the property will be decided at a later date."


* IS the council right or should the collective be allowed to stay? Write to Evening Mail, PO BOX 78, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AY or send an email to  icfeedback@mrn.co.uk

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