In the latest twist in the story of Foxtons’ attempt to turn a pub into an agency office, squatters have moved in and claim to be staging a protest against gentrification.
Estate Agent Today has extensively reported on the saga of the pub at Elephant & Castle in south London. Foxtons wants it as an office and has applied for planning consent but a local councillor says no decision has yet been taken over the 250-year-old building.
Some locals are campaigning for it to be designated as an official Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act - but no decision has been taken on this, either.
Now an estimated 12 squatters have moved in, reportedly saying they are protesting against the gentrification of the area. Because the property is designated as commercial premises, making eviction more complicated.
Posters on the pub include on saying ‘Listen up Foxtons, this 250 year old pub does not belong to you!’ and another says more simply ‘**** Foxtons’.
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Brilliant! Giving Foxtons a taste of their own medicine.
So the saga continues for Foxtons, this situation doesn't seem like it will be going away anytime soon!
It is quite ironic, but surely the more pressing issue here is that a perfectly good building is not being put to use. If it kept its original features and sense of history, would it not make more sense for it to become housing or something else rather than a property for Foxtons and the squatters to squabble over.
Whilst I’m sure that the squatters are occupying the property for the highest moral reasons, have they thought that there are probably many residents who really wouldn’t mind a bit of gentrification around there?
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