The squatters inside York’s former Fibbers music venue are celebrating after a court allowed them to stay into September.
Representatives for the the Barbican Community Centre group went to York County Court today (Thursday) to contest a possession claim brought by the companies who plan to redevelop the site, Toft Green Developments Ltd and North Star.
“If the order had been granted, the claimants would have been able to employ bailiffs to remove people from the Fibbers site,” the Barbican Community Centre said in a statement.
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“However, we are delighted to announce that the BCC will remain at Fibbers until at least the 2nd of September, as the claimants have, yet again, failed to follow the proper legal procedure in applying for the possession order.
“Since we were not given the opportunity to submit a written defence prior to the hearing today, the judge adjourned the hearing until the 2nd of September, and the BCC cannot be removed from Fibbers at any point before then.”
The squatters first revealed they had moved in to the Toft Green venue on 29 July.
They said they planned to turn it into a community events space, and bring back live music.
Developers North Star said the building was not safe for public events, and revealed they were to build a brand new music venue at the site.
Today, the squatters said they were delighted “that we will be able to hold events at the Fibbers site in the next three weeks without fear of eviction, lawful or unlawful, and welcome the community into the space we have built together”.
A spokesman for the owners of the building said: “Due to a technicality the court hearing has been relisted for the 2nd September.
“We maintain our concerns over the habitation of a building with serious health and safety risks, that does not have the appropriate insurance for this use.”