Assured Shorthold Tenants facing eviction from the Guinness Trust in Brixton have started a blockade in protest at the refusal of Guinness managers to come down and talk to them.

With residents being given just eight days to leave their homes, they have pledged to stop business continuing on the construction site until a dialogue is opened up.

‘Shorthold’ tenants – many of whom have have living on the estate for ten years and longer – are facing eviction as Guinness plans to demolish the estate and build upmarket apartments.

With the new properties being unaffordable to the existing tenants, a long standing Brixton community faces being torn apart.

However, many residents are refusing to go, and campaigners are lobbying hard for them to be rehoused in secure local social housing. Brixton Buzz supports these demands.

Speaking to us this morning, the protesters said that five lorries had already turned away in solidarity with the picket line, and that they intend to keep up their blockade all day.

They invited locals to join them on the picket line and also put out a call for others to join them tomorrow morning from 8am.

Police were on the scene, but no arrests were made.

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