Police were called last week after protesters blockaded an estate agents’ office in Brighton in support of a pensioner served with an eviction notice.
Acorn Brighton, a group that lobbies for renters’ rights, paid a second visit to Hanover Homes in Southover Street, Brighton, to defend 80-year-old Trina Bradbury who lives in Carn Court in North Drive, Hanover.
The protesters were opposed to her tenancy terminating after a Section 21 notice was issued at the end of her 12-month tenancy agreement last December.
Bradbury told the press: “If the bailiffs come, I will bolt and lock myself in. I’m prepared to put up a fight.”
Since then, Acorn Brighton has supported Bradbury in her fight, first protesting at Hanover Homes on 1 February.
However, lastr week the protesters returned to the agency’s branch and blocked the front door of the office, preventing staff from gaining access.
The group stayed at the site until they were offered a meeting with the estate agent and the landlord.
Courtney Irvine, an Acorn member in attendance, said: “I couldn’t believe how callous Hanover Homes staff were towards Trina’s plight.
“Section 21 evictions are evil and anyone involved in them should hang their heads in shame.”
A spokesman for Hanover Homes told the press: “On Wednesday morning at approximately 8.50 am, Acorn blockaded our office, refusing access to our staff.
“They demanded that we have a meeting with them to request the revoking of the Section 21 notice served on Mrs Bradbury.
“When they were asked to move to allow us entry so that we could call the landlord, they still refused entry.
“We then were left with no option but to request assistance from Sussex Police. Two PCSOs attended and discussed the issue with both ourselves and the Acorn members.
“Acorn stated that they had sent us an email a couple of weeks ago and had not had any answer. We checked and had received no emails.
“We exchanged email addresses and asked them to email our office and they reluctantly left just before 11am.
“However, as no email was received that day, we emailed Acorn in the afternoon asking for them to forward the email they had sent and confirm what they wished to discuss.
“To date, we have not received any further contact from Acorn.”
Acorn Brighton said if Bradbury’s Section 21 notice is not revoked, it will take further action.
Sussex Police confirmed officers were called but no further action was taken.
