Advertisement
Housing

Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs let homeless hotel squatters stay for winter

The Manchester United legends allow homeless squatters to temporarily stay in a building being developed for a hotel

Former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs have reportedly given permission to around 30 homeless people to stay in a landmark building they hope to develop over the winter.

Homeless rights activists took up residence at the former Manchester Stock Exchange on Sunday – which Neville and current United assistant manager Giggs plan to turn into a plush hotel – claiming the legal right to occupy the building under squatter’s rights.

The campaigners were ordered to leave an empty office block in the city centre recently and it was expected that another court order would see the group kicked out once again.

Gary told me he’s always tried to help out homeless people in Manchester

However, Wesley Hall, of the housing activist group the Manchester Angels, claims that former United captain Neville gave the group his blessing to stay in the construction site for a “few months” during the winter.

“I was crying and shaking after I got off the phone,” Hall told the Manchester Evening News. “The graft has paid off.

“What a great guy Gary Neville is. We’ve been in negotiations with him and things are looking good. He said the main building work isn’t taking place until February, so we’ll be okay to stay until then.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

“He’s having surveyors in tomorrow, with a bit of building work being done. I cheekily said to him he should have the homeless guys do it instead of labourers to give them a bit of work.

“I’m just in shock. He told me he’s always tried to help out homeless people in Manchester, but wanted to do more.”

Hall, 33, said a local chef had already been in contact to help organise a Christmas meal. He added: “This isn’t a doss, this isn’t a squat, this isn’t a party, this is a hub where we are going to change lives.”

Neville and Giggs bought the Grade II-listed building on Norfolk Street for £1.5m and recently secured planning permission to transform it into a 35-bedroom boutique hotel replete with a basement gym, spa and rooftop private members’ terrace.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
Renter fury as no-fault eviction ban likely delayed until 2026: 'Let down yet again'
renters protest in London with protesters holding placards
Renting

Renter fury as no-fault eviction ban likely delayed until 2026: 'Let down yet again'

Public transport not keeping up with surge in new homes, analysis finds: 'We must plan more intelligently'
a bus
Public transport

Public transport not keeping up with surge in new homes, analysis finds: 'We must plan more intelligently'

Government pledge to help care leavers into social housing 'will literally save lives'
care leavers hand in petition at Downing Street
Social housing

Government pledge to help care leavers into social housing 'will literally save lives'

Social services threatened to take refugee's newborn baby away in row over horror hostel
A stock image of a baby's foot
Asylum accommodation

Social services threatened to take refugee's newborn baby away in row over horror hostel

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue