Tents removed from outside Manchester Town Hall
Dozens of homeless people have been camping in St. Peter's Square since last summer
Last updated 26th Feb 2025
Dozens of homeless people have been evicted from tents outside Manchester Town Hall, where they have been living since last summer.
The tents were erected as part of a protest in 2024, but become a focal point for Manchester's homeless community.
Greatest Hits Radio has been told bailiffs arrived early on Wednesday morning (26 February), and told people to leave.
Some reported belongings being thrown away.
It comes after a judge granted a possession order following a request made by Manchester City Council.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: “This brings to an end the encampment which has been in place there for several months, with fluctuating numbers, occupied by people who are refugees who have been granted the right to remain in the country.
“We have conducted homelessness assessments for people camping there and offered temporary accommodation to everyone who we owed a statutory duty – anyone classed as vulnerable and in priority need.
"Others on site who were not classed as vulnerable were still offered advice and support, including a personal housing plan, to help them secure accommodation for themselves.
“People were given the choice to pack up and take their tents and belongings with them.
"The only tents which were disposed of were ones which had been abandoned."
The statement went on to say: “We would reiterate that help is at hand for any Manchester resident facing homelessness.
"The Council’s homelessness service works hard alongside a fantastic network of voluntary and community sector organisations in the city.
“But as we have consistently stated, this informal camp in St Peter’s Square was not a safe, sanitary or suitable place from which to access support.
"Nor does camping in a public space accelerate their homelessness application or gain them any other advantage.
“We have had a number of issues in keeping the area safe, secure and clean - as we saw in the run-up to Remembrance Weekend and New Year’s Eve events.
"The presence of the tents has also impacted on the day-to-day delivery of services from the town hall extension, including hindering evacuation in the event of an alarm."