Squatters call for chance to stay in Dolphin Hotel
SQUATTERS who have taken up residence in a city centre hotel have argued it is in the owner's interests to let them stay where they are.
The group of 15, who have moved into the Dolphin Hotel in Whitewalls, have been served eviction papers by the tenant.
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The Dolphin hotel in Swansea
But they argue if there are no plans for the ailing structure it would be better to let them remain rather than leave it empty.
"We would like to stay if the tenant has got nothing planned for the building," said Jules, one of the those who moved into the building at 5am last Monday.
"It is in his interests to have us there — if he gets us out and it stays empty for another six months it will look rather silly."
Jules added that they would be willing to move out if there were concrete plans for the building. He said the squatters' priority was to avoid costly court proceedings.
"Obviously if the tenant is planning to actually do something with the building then we would move out," he added.
"We have sent a letter to the tenant in reply to his eviction papers saying we want to talk to him and come to an agreement without going to court."
The current tenant of the Dolphin Hotel is Altaf Sultan Nanji, who owns the Great Barr Hotel in Birmingham.
Jules said Mr Nanji wrote in the 180-page eviction document that he had taken up the tenancy on December 31 last year and that he had been showing potential tenants around to sublet the building.
The squatters entered the 66-room hotel through what they said was an open widow.
Trespassing is a civil matter in England and Wales, unlike Scotland where it is a criminal matter, and the group have claimed squatters' rights.
They have been sleeping in the hotel and have turned it into a free-of-charge cafe and community arts space, the Cwtch Community Centre.
A programme of events, including concerts, lectures, and a "hug and laughter day" have been organised.
And people have offered to contribute their skills — everything from electrician to reiki practitioner.
The fire service and council said they were assessing what regulations the group needed to comply with — but on Friday there was a problem with the building's water supply.
When Welsh Water switched on the supply it caused leaks and bad smells in next door shops, which angered traders and members of the public. The water supply at the Dolphin Hotel had to be shut off and surrounding shops and cafes said they were now satisfied with the situation.
Mr Nanji was not available for comment.
alex.smith@swwmedia.co.uk
21 Comments
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by hadoken1983
Thursday, March 01 2012, 10:05PM
“Owners Interests?
The owner had to spend 9000 evicting them out, in the two weeks since they've been booted out of another 2 properties and vowed to carry on.
Poor Scruffs. What a wasted life. Still, whatever keeps them from suicide.”
by williamwaun
Thursday, February 09 2012, 3:32PM
“They had they fun now this story is getting boring, lock them up for 6mths, best thing for these scruffs.”
by Maximus19
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:23PM
“Oh, how Swansea is laughing at these sad low-lifes.
How we are all laughing at you....”
by huwwuh
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:00PM
“This bunch have brought back many childhood memories for me. We used to make dens in derelict buildings and meet there after school and on weekends to play. We'd have a membership and lots and lots of plans. We even try and have a kitty, but once we had enough for a bottle of pop and a chocolate roll we'd be straight down to Mrs Rees the shop. The biggest questions and hopes we had back then would be centred around ''why can't we'' and ''wouldn't it be great''.
We all grew up and began in jobs and careers. We substituted our dens for homes and took on the responsibilities we'd dreamed of and realised adulthood was not all that we thought it was, but we endured.
This bunch have not grown up yet and are still playing den games. The fact they act as children should put them outside of the law as regards making or having the capacity to make decisions and should be sectioned for their own safety and the safety of the public.”
by dick_e
Thursday, February 09 2012, 11:27AM
“@Maximus19 "The Police have said that they'll be clearing the hotel of squatters by the end of this week"
Of course that would be totally illegal without a court order - but you already knew that (as would the police) I'm sure”
by UpperBank
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 3:40AM
“Evening Post circulation: down 5.8%. These stories aren't really working anymore are they?”
by hadoken1977
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 12:38AM
“I would like to donate a...
Mirror.
Bar of soap.
A free CV template.
A job application form.
If any of the scruffs would be interested, please get back to me via this website.
Its never too late to change your degenerative, loser existence.”
by aberbear
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 6:13PM
“you absolutely right Maximus 19, wait untill Daddy hears of her daughters shenanigans, after all he did buy her a little place in the mumbles, but hey, she's just a student and she's being all alternative bless her, her sister Tabatha better not follow in her shoes, she's already a little madame with her 7 ponies, her own chauffeur and a yaht.”
by Maximus19
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 6:05PM
“It's being reported on 'Stars And Sparks' that the Police will remove the squatters in the middle of the night, maybe as early as tonight”
by TaipeiSteve
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 5:20PM
“As I have said in an earlier post, properties do not exist in isolation, and a building that is boarded up for a long time has an adverse affect on a neighbourhood. Therefore, as a gesture of social responsibility and respect to the local community, I personally hope that the owners will support the appeal for continued use of the building as a community centre (or any other social based facility that the owners deem appropriate) until such time as the property is sold.”