Manchester council applies to court to 'close' red tent homeless camp

Manchester council has applied to the courts for a ‘possession order’ to dismantle the ‘red tent’ homeless camp outside the town hall.

The camp was established last March, initially as a protest, according to organisers. But the tents remained underneath the town hall arches for several weeks.

That was until council officers offered more than 50 camp ‘residents’ a place in temporary accommodation in an effort to discourage the camp’s spread. Shortly after, council and police officers sealed off the area under the arches and closed the camp down.

More tents were erected next to the fences, which sealed off the first camp in October. Although they were moved on by authorities for Remembrance Sunday and New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations, the camp has become a fixture on St Peter’s Square.

That might not be the case for much longer. Manchester council has applied for a possession order ‘to bring the St Peter’s Square encampment to a close’.

An initial civil court hearing on Monday (January 13) did not resolve the matter and the case was adjourned.

It has now been confirmed a new hearing will take place on February 11. A Manchester council spokesperson said: “There has been a fluctuating number of tents in St Peter’s Square for several months now. This camp consists predominantly of people who are refugees and have been granted the right to remain.

“We want to stress in the strongest terms that help is at hand for any Manchester resident facing homelessness. The council’s homelessness service works alongside a fantastic network of voluntary and community sector organisations in the city to deliver support.

“But throughout this period we have been clear with those camping in the square and the wider public that this is