riding and then I started squatting.” mum, (‘a Guardian reader’) suggested he
He says the building is owned by an become a squatter so he could pursue
offshore investment company. “We did his photography career. “In a city that
rigorous research to find out if there values art culture there has to be some
were any development plans first.” So leeway for allowing alternative lifestyles,”
how did they get in? “Well,” he grins, “the says Dan. “Squatting allows a vibrant,
conventional way a squatter gets in is experimental art scene to unfold, which
to find the door open and the keys lying can do wonders for a local community.
somewhere convenient...” Many squatters squat, not to leech, but
Squatting has been around for to contribute to society more effectively.”
hundreds of years. The earliest cases Social studies do indeed seem to indicate
can be traced back to 1381 when the that urban regeneration starts with
Forcible Entry Act was passed. Following a thriving arts community. Dan also
both world wars, soldiers were forced talks about the ‘extraordinarily unjust’
to live in derelict properties due to lack closure of The Spike co-op in Peckham by
of proper housing. Since the 60s, many Southwark Council last year. ‘It provided
squatting collectives have emerged. One a huge amount to the local community
of the best known co-ops was based – a music studio for kids, martial arts,
in Hackney in in the 80s, and housed pottery and recycling workshops.’
artists, hippies, students and even nine- They give me a tour of the building
to-five jobbers. It seems to be a lifestyle and I’m amazed by what they’ve created.
choice, at least for some. Ed says his I’m taken into a claret coloured cinema
28 | add lib
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