Eviction notice for squatters at former Swansea hotel
SQUATTERS occupying a Swansea hotel, turning it into a community centre, have been served an eviction notice.
However, they have pledged to not stand in the way of plans to transform the city hotel — and will leave rather than be evicted.
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The Dolphin hotel in Swansea which is still being occupied by squatters
They claim they were unaware proposals existed for the Dolphin Hotel, in Whitewalls, to be converted into a coffee shop and hotel.
The 15-strong group of squatters moved into the 66-room hotel last Monday through what they said was an open first floor window and transformed the hotel into the free-of-charge Cwtch Community Centre.
Swansea-based Jules, who is a member of the community centre, said they would not put up a fight against the eviction notice and would simply leave.
He said: "We will be drafting a response to Mr Nanji (the tenant of the hotel) and if he has plans for the building we don't want to stand in the way of that. We would agree to depart.
"We are hoping to come to an amiable agreement with him rather than have a court case."
Jules said they had been unaware Mr Nanji has managed the lease since New Year's Eve.
He added: "Our understanding was the building was vacant for two years and not likely to be active.
"But there are negotiations to rent the upstairs as a hotel and for the foyer area to be used as a coffee shop.
"We would like to know what his plans are."
It is understood Mr Nanji has asked the group to be evicted over fears that the Cwtch Community Centre will bring adverse publicity.
Claiming squatters' rights they set up the free centre and say it got so busy they were struggling to keep up with demand.
But on Friday problems ensued after sewage and water from the disused hotel leaked into neighbouring shops and cafes.
It led Welsh Water to disconnect the water supply at the Dolphin Hotel after traders started to complain of terrible smells and shop-floor flooding.
Georgia Herbert, manager of the Crepe Vine, said the leak had led to sewage coming up through the sinks.
The Card Centre store on the other side of the hotel had a leak through its roof onto the shop floor.
Staff in Greggs also said they had problems with flushing the toilet.
Jules added: "We don't want evictions or bailiffs — that's not what we are about.
"We were about working in a space that was being wasted.
"We have agreed text for a letter to be sent to Mr Nanji. We have said we are happy to negotiate an agreed time of departure."
elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk
59 Comments
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by hadoken1983
Thursday, March 01 2012, 7:47PM
“Poor Cwtch, in the space of 3 weeks they've been evicted from 3 properties, leaked sewage (and cost traders money) and caused people to spend 1000's of pounds evicting them. While they claim their dole and they've done nothing positive.
These low end anarchists are really living the dream!!
Led by a woman who had a mental breakdown 10 years ago and ended up working in charity shop.
CWTCH are by far the biggest jokes in the squatting world. What next guys, are you going to take over the big apple sand and bucket stall down the mumbles!!!”
by dick_e
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:05PM
“@Dooyah Not like oldtimers, such as yourself, who have been posting comments since Sunday, February 05 2012.
LOL yes, there is one or two trolls with different user names posting very similar rubbish (they even use the same sentences) on here time after time.
@hadoken1977 ""The only people who have used this place so far is mental people around swansea and old people who have nothing better to do."
So can we assume from that comment that you speak from personal experience and HAVE been there yourself?”
by Swanseafox
Saturday, February 11 2012, 9:09PM
“Have any of the squatters informed the DSS of their change of address? and have they also informed the DSS that they are carrying out 'voluntary work'?
Is anyone there claiming housing benefit or rent for another address which they are not living in while taxpayer funding is picking up the bill?
Benefit fraud? I would have thought so.”
by Dooyah
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:37PM
“@hadoken1977 Friday, February 10 2012, 4:55PM
Not like oldtimers, such as yourself, who have been posting comments since Sunday, February 05 2012.
I clicked on your profile.”
by phildavies14
Saturday, February 11 2012, 12:24AM
“Amazing how these soap dodgers have 'varying views' when it suits them. They dont want to conform to the rest of society laws so they break in somewhere. The minute they are asked to leave, they turn on the "we have squatters rights"
Save the writing Jules.... Get out and get a life.
YOU CHOSE TO DO WHAT YOU DO!!”
by vikingkitten
Friday, February 10 2012, 5:03PM
“I can see both sides of the arguement and honestly am undecided which side I land on however I wholeheartedly agree with sipajones, name calling is the end of an arguement. People should be capable of expressing themselves in a reasonable civilised manner without resorting to name calling and petty judgements, sadly that is not the case on a lot of these comments.”
by hadoken1977
Friday, February 10 2012, 4:57PM
“The only people who have used this place so far is mental people around swansea and old people who have nothing better to do.
Why don't you just go round all the old folks homes, they'll happily talk to anyone and you'll probably do some good given most of them are put there to die.”
by hadoken1977
Friday, February 10 2012, 4:55PM
“"The Cwtch Community Centre has divided the commenters on these boards"
Not its not, this is not an even split, most of the people who support them reg'd new accounts on evening post site, which means its probably them using a free wifi and net connection and trying to paint a better picture of themselves.
This is why you THUMBS DOWN all the negative comments and THUMBS UP your own in the hope your views get heard.”
by sipajones
Friday, February 10 2012, 2:49PM
“The Cwtch Community Centre has divided the commenters on these boards, some for and some against. Nothing wrong with that, but I find those people who hate it can't help but call names and become offensive while the supporters are more empathic, polite and find it easy to maintain their composure. I wonder if there's a link between intelligence and community... Or perhaps those who love to snipe and be vile to strangers love to watch other people fail because they were unable to make a success themselves.
Either way, name calling is the end of any argument, some disagree and that's fine, but there's no need for abhorrent abusive behaviour.”
by sipajones
Friday, February 10 2012, 2:44PM
“There was an article here, two of them do have their own businesses. I have no idea what in though.”