Homeless people squatting in a landmark building say Gary Neville will fork out for tradesman to make the space habitable - and will even serve them up hot grub.

The group took over the former Stock Exchange building on Norfolk Street hoping for it to be a hub for homeless people.

The retired United stars want to turn the site into a plush hotel but have allowed squatters to stay until work begins in February .

But the group say Neville has agreed to pay builders to make the space habitable - and has arranged for staff at his Hotel Football to dish up rough sleepers with a hot meal.

However taking the Facebook on Wednesday, the group, who have dubbed themselves ‘The Sock Exchange’, wrote: “He [Neville] is paying for electricians; plumbers; builders and other tradesmen to come and install temporary shower units; bathrooms; toilets; lighting etc so that the building is habitable over the winter period.”

And in a later post, they stated: “Gary Neville is arranging for Hotel Football Old Trafford to make an evening meal for the homeless on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays so that they get a well-balanced nutritious meal three times a week from his chefs. Thank you Gary.”

Gary Neville refused to comment on the matter when contacted by the M.E.N.

But the boost came just hours after a window was broken as men tried to gain access the landmark building.

Police were called FIVE times after the incident around 11pm on Tuesday night.

The group can no longer have an open door policy on the building after strangers tried to gatecrash the site.

They wrote on Facebook: “Last night, after several 999 phone calls, it took the police FOUR HOURS to respond to an attack on the building where young trouble makers were trying to get inside. They broke a window and we have the CCTV. The police didn’t do anything but hurl patronising abuse, we have this recorded.”

The group then urged security firms to get involved to help man the site to prevent further trouble.

“The Sock Exchange will now only take referrals from certain organisations within the North West. We are now taking precautionary measures following a few people trying to cause disruption by trying to intimidate homeless people.”

Police defended the response times saying they attended soon after the calls were made.

City centre inspector Phil Sprugeon said: “I can confirm that a number of calls were made to police overnight by the occupants of the building. The first was at 10.50pm and the last at 2.06am. The calls relate to males trying to gain access to the building.”

Police attended at 11.30pm and again later at 2.40am - but it was unclear what had actually happened.

Insp Spurgeon added: “We have been trying today to re-contact the project organisers to discus the incidents overnight.”