OCCUPY LEICESTER PROTESTERS MOVE INTO EMPTY OFFICE FOR WINTER

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Occupy Leicester protesters move into an empty office for winter

Protesters from the Occupy Leicester movement have taken their struggle against government corruption, corporate greed and the winter weather indoors.

The campaigners, who have been based outside the entrance to the Highcross shopping centre, on High Street, for the past five weeks, had been discussing a "new tactic" which would allow them to expand their numbers during the bitter midwinter temperatures.

On Saturday, they entered an unlocked, disused office above the former Litten Tree pub, also on High Street, and have remained there since.

Spokesman Anthony Farrow said they occupied the building legally and police, who visited the building on Sunday morning, were satisfied their entry was above board.

Anthony, 22, an animation and design student at De Montfort University, said: "We've taken an old, out-of-use office block. The door was left open so we haven't forced entry and we were able to claim the building lawfully."

Anthony, who works two jobs as well as spending most nights at the camp, says the move to a warmer base will allow more people to become regularly involved.

He also hopes the new base will allow the group to host debates and public meetings.

They will still maintain a presence outdoors by erecting a stall on the street outside the building.

He said: "We were concerned about people's health and this allows more people to get involved in the Christmas period. We plan to stay until the spring, then we'll move back out when it gets warm again."

Kieran Murray, 18, said: "It's quite a good move because the London occupiers did the same thing. We've done it with a corporate building, so it's targeting the things we're aiming at."

Kieran, a call centre manager from Nottingham, had originally been based with the Occupy movement there, but moved to the Leicester camp soon after it set up.

However, he was forced to return home for a fortnight after contracting pneumonia.

He said: "It got to the stage where I had to go home to rest and recuperate. I've managed to keep on top of (my work) from the camp.

"A lot of staff at the call centre are really supportive and think it's a brilliant thing, but I've not heard too much from my boss."

The building is owned by Safe Computing Ltd, a software and outsourcing provider based on nearby Freeschool Lane. The company declined to comment yesterday.

James Coningsby, head of commercial property at Nelsons Solicitors, on New Walk, Leicester, says the protestors would have no right to remain squatting in the building should the owner decide to take action, and would have to leave within two days if served with a notice to do so.

He said: "The fact of the matter is they haven't committed a criminal act, but in terms of a defence they don't have one in my view.

"I think it's quite rare for commercial property to be occupied in this way, but there are occasions when this does happen."

A police spokesperson said any dispute over the occupation which may arise would be a civil matter between the owner and the protesters.