CAMPAIGNERS occupying Soho’s 12 Bar Club in protest against the gentrification of London’s famed Tin Pan Alley were threatened with eviction yesterday.
Papers were served at noon as members of the group Bohemians 4 Soho were preparing a communal lunch.
Occupiers Thomas Magar, Danny Gardner and “Ninja” explained that the support of musicians once connected to the street would be a great help to the campaign.
Adele, Damien Rice, Keane and Jeff Buckley all played at the venue on their way to stardom, while the club has also been a key player on the alternative music circuit.
“It would be good to get all the celebrities behind it because it would also highlight that this is happening all over Britain, for corporate greed rather than social need,” the occupier asking to be named as “Ninja” told the Star.
“It’s the way they do it — on the surface everything looks OK, but when you look behind their modus operandi to get what they want it’s cut throat.
“These guys are pirates, they are vampires, it’s just disgusting.”
Ninja then mentioned a local businessman whose efforts to resist relocation had granted him a gagging order.
Mr Magar added that when the Bohemians approached other small businesses in the area most were afraid to publicly show their support.
Earlier this month the 12 Bar Club relocated to Islington leaving its historic premises after being intimidated by property developers Consolidated Developments.
The next day the group took over the venue setting up music events, workshops and a social centre.
Music was banned shortly after the start of the occupation by an injunction, but guitars can still be seen scattered across the rooms of the 12 Bar.
“Anyone here who plays music is subject to arrest,” said Mr Garder.
Bailiffs are expected to come to Denmark Street at 12.30pm today to confront the collective of artists and activists who volunteered as “cultural heritage wardens, in order to prevent the disillusion of culture from our history.”
Bohemians 4 Soho have vouched to stay until forcefully removed from the premises.
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