[silvermyn]

Squatters are preparing for a stand-off with bailiffs and police over plans to turn an east London bar and arts venue into a designer hotel.

Up to 50 people have barricaded themselves inside The Foundry in Shoreditch, which features a six-metre-high Banksy mural of a rat with a knife and fork on one of the walls.

Park Plaza hotels plans to demolish the building and build an 18-storey, 350-room hotel and retail complex within an aluminium-clad cylindrical building, to be called an “art'otel”. Banksy's work will be preserved.

The squatters, who moved in two weeks ago to protest at the gentrification of the area, are a collective, known as 84 Great Eastern Street. They were issued with a court order last week
telling them to leave.

One of the squatters, 24, said: “We've secured the building. There are people outside now keeping a constant vigil and we want people to come down to help us protest.”

The group's spokesman said: “Shoreditch used to be completely different and The Foundry was the centre of everything. There's a Banksy on the back wall and now guests will pay hundreds of pounds to be the only ones to stare at it.”

The painting is one of the biggest created by the reclusive graffiti artist. There are seven art'otels in cities including Berlin and Budapest, each decorated by a famous artist, with the website explaining: “At art'otel, we bring the art gallery to you!”

Critics argue that the hotel, expected to cost more than £100 a night, is another blow to one of London's artistic centres, known for its gritty feel.

The squatters say they have turned the building into a “social space”, including a free café, open mic nights and jamming sessions, and last night hosted a film screening outside. A party on Friday drew 100 people and was broken up by police, but ended peacefully.

The Foundry, which closed last month, was a centre for fashion, design and music as well as alternative art. Pete Doherty used to host poetry nights and the band Hot Chip formed there. Tracey and Jonathan Moberly, who rented the building and opened the bar, are said to be seeking another venue.

Park Plaza said it was working with local community groups, after Hackney council agreed planning permission in February. The Foundry will become a “world-class hotel that will be a showcase for artists and bring jobs to Shoreditch”, the company said.

[Deleted]

i'd ruining it if i was one of the squatters - leave no trace of it for the developers to exploit and charge later

[klyde]

I have never understood the term "squatter’s rights".

Farcical really.

Hopefully they get them out and tear it down.

Plenty of better Bankys to stare at.

[bs]

klyde, i dont think your find its about the banksy piece. The Foundry was an amazing venue and for it to now have to make way for a swanky hotel really is just another blow to the area. Areas such as brick lane, shoreditch, old street etc were so full of creativity and had such great vibes about them and there all being ruined as those same guys who made them what they are can no longer afford to live there as the folks with the cash move in to these new 'desirable locations' and rip the soul from these areas. Shoreditch has changed past recognition in the past couple of years and its been happening around brick lane for quite some time now, its really sad to see how these places are being killed off

[Guest]

Well said Ben. Having lived in shoreditch for the last 8 years i have seen a lot of changes, some for the better but most of them for the worst, and yet another hotel cant be a good thing for local community spirit. As for the Banksy rat, its hardly a piece of art for the locals to enjoy as its been covered up for the last few years or so, by the owners of the outside wall, hoping to cash-in on it.

[Happy Shopper]

A shame to see a nice place to have a drink go, but times change, the area isn't the same anymore, the scene has changed.
New places will appear... or already have. Move on...

[rrrich]

theres also a banksy tv being thrown out of the window on the wall, like the one from the blur artwork. the protective wooden boarding has come off at the bottom so you can have a look. mind all the rubbish you have to wade through tho.

[bs]

yes it has changed but not for the better in my opinion and the majority of the new places that have appeared are all what is wrong with the area

[jfury]

Jun 30, 2010 12:49:14 GMT 1 bs said:

klyde, i dont think your find its about the banksy piece. The Foundry was an amazing venue and for it to now have to make way for a swanky hotel really is just another blow to the area. Areas such as brick lane, shoreditch, old street etc were so full of creativity and had such great vibes about them and there all being ruined as those same guys who made them what they are can no longer afford to live there as the folks with the cash move in to these new 'desirable locations' and rip the soul from these areas. Shoreditch has changed past recognition in the past couple of years and its been happening around brick lane for quite some time now, its really sad to see how these places are being killed off

The gentrification of the area is not a recent occurrence. This has been happening for at least the last 9 to 10 years. Around the time when you could buy what at the time was an 'overpriced' flat on Hoxton Square for £180k which now sell for £700k+!

People moved on from Hoxton/Shoreditch/Old Street to areas within Hackney, London Fields, Dalston, Kingsland Road, de beavouir etc etc which again was affordable and you could rent cheaply enough and if you were lucky buy a place. You are now seeing exactly the same thing in those areas.

[blitsu]

Jun 30, 2010 12:31:18 GMT 1 klyde said:

I have never understood the term "squatter’s rights".

I've never understood the concept of empty buildings, whilst people are homeless.

[klyde]

Jun 30, 2010 15:01:12 GMT 1 blitsu said:

Jun 30, 2010 12:31:18 GMT 1 klyde said:

I have never understood the term "squatter’s rights".

I've never understood the concept of empty buildings, whilst people are homeless.

If they don’t own the building, they should have no right to be there. Regardless if it empty or not. If asked to move on, they should move on immediately. And maybe pop into the job centre while they are at it.

[jon11]

park plaza hotels are decent - and this concept sounds bang on for me - fuck off you crusty layabouts

[geoffw]

Jul 1, 2010 10:53:32 GMT 1 klyde said:

Jun 30, 2010 15:01:12 GMT 1 blitsu said:

I've never understood the concept of empty buildings, whilst people are homeless.

If they don’t own the building, they should have no right to be there. Regardless if it empty or not. If asked to move on, they should move on immediately. And maybe pop into the job centre while they are at it.

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

[walshy]

Jul 1, 2010 15:32:59 GMT 1 geoffw said:

Jul 1, 2010 10:53:32 GMT 1 klyde said:

If they don’t own the building, they should have no right to be there. Regardless if it empty or not. If asked to move on, they should move on immediately. And maybe pop into the job centre while they are at it.

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

I would like to know too, if you find out please let me know as im also looking for a job

[klyde]

Jul 1, 2010 15:32:59 GMT 1 geoffw said:

Jul 1, 2010 10:53:32 GMT 1 klyde said:

If they don’t own the building, they should have no right to be there. Regardless if it empty or not. If asked to move on, they should move on immediately. And maybe pop into the job centre while they are at it.

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
Shit in the street.


ps - I vote SNP.

[walshy]

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Jul 1, 2010 15:32:59 GMT 1 geoffw said:

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.


ps - I vote SNP.

So do you think that ALL are squatters/homeless by choice ?

Once again, always two sides to a story. Yes some may squat in places to use that space to sell drugs or put on party's, others squat to not be on the streets and give themselves some kind of comfort in there lives that I wouldn't want to spend a second living.

[chrisps303]

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Jul 1, 2010 15:32:59 GMT 1 geoffw said:

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.


ps - I vote SNP.

Incorrect, not all squatters are upto no good.

Just as many dosers living in houses paid for by the state, taking drugs, claiming benefits, growing dreadlocks.


Have you ever met a squatter or do you base your opinion on what you read in the daily mail?

[peggy]

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.

SO SQUATTING NOT YOU'RE CUP OF TEA THEN?
PEGGY KNOWS OF SEVERAL SQUATTERS WHO BOUGHT INTO BANKSY, WITH MONEY UNSCROUNGED FROM STATE, WAY BACK BEFORE HE BECAME A HEAVILY TRADED COMMODITY, DUE TO LIKING HIM. THUS HELPING BUILD BANKSY MYTH & MYSTIQUE THROUGH SELL OUT OF PRINTS.
AND ALSO DUE TO BANKSY SHARING A SIMILAR MINDSET TO THEIR OWN WITH REGARDS SOCIETY.
PEGGY LOVES THE IRONY OF KLYDE SLATING SQUATTERS ON A BANKSY FORUM.

[Curley]

Jul 1, 2010 16:44:14 GMT 1 peggy said:

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.

SO SQUATTING NOT YOU'RE CUP OF TEA THEN?
PEGGY KNOWS OF SEVERAL SQUATTERS WHO BOUGHT INTO BANKSY, WITH MONEY UNSCROUNGED FROM STATE, WAY BACK BEFORE HE BECAME A HEAVILY TRADED COMMODITY, DUE TO LIKING HIM. THUS HELPING BUILD BANKSY MYTH & MYSTIQUE THROUGH SELL OUT OF PRINTS.
AND ALSO DUE TO BANKSY SHARING A SIMILAR MINDSET TO THEIR OWN WITH REGARDS SOCIETY.
PEGGY LOVES THE IRONY OF KLYDE SLATING SQUATTERS ON A BANKSY FORUM.

Indeed the irony of it

[etched]

Jul 1, 2010 16:44:14 GMT 1 peggy said:

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.

SO SQUATTING NOT YOU'RE CUP OF TEA THEN?
PEGGY KNOWS OF SEVERAL SQUATTERS WHO BOUGHT INTO BANKSY, WITH MONEY UNSCROUNGED FROM STATE, WAY BACK BEFORE HE BECAME A HEAVILY TRADED COMMODITY, DUE TO LIKING HIM. THUS HELPING BUILD BANKSY MYTH & MYSTIQUE THROUGH SELL OUT OF PRINTS.
AND ALSO DUE TO BANKSY SHARING A SIMILAR MINDSET TO THEIR OWN WITH REGARDS SOCIETY.
PEGGY LOVES THE IRONY OF KLYDE SLATING SQUATTERS ON A BANKSY FORUM.

well said peggy!!!
klyde might want to check out graffix 'shares tips' thread.......disgusting

[Deleted]

Jul 1, 2010 16:09:23 GMT 1 klyde said:

Jul 1, 2010 15:32:59 GMT 1 geoffw said:

Oh excellent stereotyping there Mr Cameron.

Where are all these jobs exactly?

Call it stereotyping if you want, but all squatters

Smell terrible.
Claim thousands in benefits.
Laze about all day refusing to work.
Think they are some kind of modern day Libertine and are better than everyone else.
Recite awful poetry while sitting in a circle.
Grow dreadlocks by accident, not choice.
The women smoke pipes. Pipes!
Steal food from McDonalds bins.
Talk about how much they hate McDonalds.
Claim the government are all utter bastards while in spending their benefits on tofu.
Keep stray dogs as pets.
Marry their cousins.
s**t in the street.


ps - I vote SNP.

Is it allowed to call people a cunt on here ? Kind of new and wouldn't want to break any forum rules

thanks
M

[klyde]

Bongo, give it a rest! I very much doubt Banksys success has anything to do with filthy squatters!

Lighten up for fucks sake martedanielsen! Its just the internet!

[weeble]

Just as many dosers living in houses paid for by the state, taking drugs, claiming benefits, growing dreadlocks.

Have you ever met a squatter or do you base your opinion on what you read in the daily mail?

You are right of course, those people do exists too. But it still doesn't make it any more right or wrong that squatters exist and take the piss. I agree with Klyde, I don't see why squatters should have any "rights" at all?

"Squatting", to me anyway, is when someone occupies an empty or abandoned property without the owner's permission, often without his knowledge and without any normal legal right to do so. Basically, taking the piss.

I'm up for the designer hotel to be perfectly honest.

[chrisps303]

Jul 2, 2010 8:47:30 GMT 1 weeble said:

Just as many dosers living in houses paid for by the state, taking drugs, claiming benefits, growing dreadlocks.

Have you ever met a squatter or do you base your opinion on what you read in the daily mail?

You are right of course, those people do exists too. But it still doesn't make it any more right or wrong that squatters exist and take the piss. I agree with Klyde, I don't see why squatters should have any "rights" at all?

"Squatting", to me anyway, is when someone occupies an empty or abandoned property without the owner's permission, often without his knowledge and without any normal legal right to do so. Basically, taking the piss.

I'm up for the designer hotel to be perfectly honest.

Much like when someone sprays graffiti on a building without permission or without the owners knowledge or a legal right to do so.

Take a minute to think why these people may have to squat.

[nex]

I do so love reading the demonizing of certain segments of the population to alleviate one's own perceived position and to find quick and easy solutions to 'whats wrong with today's society'. It truly heartens me to know people are so easily fooled into thinking that this somehow helps make the world a better place.

[peggy]

Jul 2, 2010 5:56:19 GMT 1 klyde said:

Bongo, give it a rest! I very much doubt Banksys success has anything to do with filthy squatters!

PEGGY WONDERS HOW MUCH KLYDE KNOWS ABOUT WHO BOUGHT BANKSY IN 2003?
STUDENTS, SQUATTERS, TRAVELLERS, TRANSIENT PEOPLE AT EDGE OF SOCIETY. PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T GO NEAR HIM NOW.
PEGGY OVERHEARD A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION ABOUT A DIRTY OLD TRAMP (WHO FLOATED ROUND TOP OF BRICK LANE) WHO BEFRIENDED A GROUP OF 30 SOMETHING POKER PLAYERS IN EARLY NOUGHTIES AND STARTED HOARDING BANKSY PRINTS. THIS JUST ONE OF MANY, MANY STORIES ABOUT HOW BANKSY BECAME BANKSY
BANKSY WAS COUNTER CULTURE WHEN STARTING OUT, WITH INTENTION OF BEING CULTURE, YET IT WAS COUNTER CULTURE AND ALL IT'S DENIZENS WHO STUCK HIM THERE.

[walshy]

Peggy, please stop writing in caps. Ive never read a single post by you because of that.

[peggy]

PEGGY WONDERS AT HOW YOU KNOW SHE ONLY BARKS IN CAPS, IF YOU NEVER READ HER B*LLOCKS?

[walshy]

Well believe it or not my eyes can tell what is caps and what isnt.... without actually reading. I think the crazy concept called school taught me that.

[klyde]

Jul 2, 2010 9:46:28 GMT 1 peggy said:

Jul 2, 2010 5:56:19 GMT 1 klyde said:

Bongo, give it a rest! I very much doubt Banksys success has anything to do with filthy squatters!

PEGGY WONDERS HOW MUCH KLYDE KNOWS ABOUT WHO BOUGHT BANKSY IN 2003?
STUDENTS, SQUATTERS, TRAVELLERS, TRANSIENT PEOPLE AT EDGE OF SOCIETY. PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T GO NEAR HIM NOW.
PEGGY OVERHEARD A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION ABOUT A DIRTY OLD TRAMP (WHO FLOATED ROUND TOP OF BRICK LANE) WHO BEFRIENDED A GROUP OF 30 SOMETHING POKER PLAYERS IN EARLY NOUGHTIES AND STARTED HOARDING BANKSY PRINTS. THIS JUST ONE OF MANY, MANY STORIES ABOUT HOW BANKSY BECAME BANKSY
BANKSY WAS COUNTER CULTURE WHEN STARTING OUT, WITH INTENTION OF BEING CULTURE, YET IT WAS COUNTER CULTURE AND ALL IT'S DENIZENS WHO STUCK HIM THERE.

I didnt know who Banksy was until 2006.

Maybe I should hang around with tramps.