I think I’ve heard about this one, people may have been bragging about it and getting away with the parties on SJ and other places
unfortunately 90% of the time the “community centre” thing is just used as a blag, when people have tried it (and I have been involved with such ventures on several occasions during my life) it soon peters out due to the lure of just getting stoned/k-d up and also the scum very soon at least try to take over.
Also the lack of genuine organisational structures these days (or the desire to create one) and other pressures (although often self-inflicted such as drug induced mood swings) means people often eventually have no real commitment to anything other than basic survival/existence
if people genuinely need a home they are best squatting it and keeping their heads down (i.e not partying it) – by all means have friends round and do creative stuff there but don’t rub it in peoples faces that you are using someone elses resources for fuck all as thats when the problems start. 70s/80s squatters often got away with stuff as they did less drugs (although not exactly teetoral 😉 ) and more positive work…
although the regulations (particularly with putting on stuff for kids or the normal public) can seem overbearing, I’ve done loads of research into them and many of the health and safety ones are there for good reasons.
I’d actually be extremely worried at the thought of a unregulated kids’ creche, particularly in that area where the squatter “community” has already been targeted by nonces (there was a big hunt for one in that area about 6 years ago, he also ripped off a lot of people)
