Outside The Heals Building in central London, around 25 people make their beds for the night.
The row of tents on Tottenham Court Road is set up around 8 pm beneath the stone arches at the front of the historical 135,000 sq ft building.
There is a strict social contract. Pack up by 8 am, be friendly and do not leave any of your stuff behind.
But after around 15 years, planters have suddenly been placed where the tents would be partially sheltered from the wind and rain.
Those not in the know may think the additions simply add to the building’s decor, but some are considering it the latest form of deceptive anti-homeless architecture, which Streets Kitchen has dubbed ‘hostile greenery’.
‘This is just part of the trend we are seeing. Nowhere can be seen to be encouraging rough sleeping,’ Tony Long told Metro.
‘It’s rare to establish such a relationship as a camp’
Tony has been sleeping outside the store since 2018 after suffering a breakdown while working as a Michelin-star chef.
The group were given one day’s warning of the change, which may not sound like much, but is considered ‘very generous’ among those who use the area.
Tony said, smiling towards the store: ‘Heals gave us one day’s warning more than other places ever have.
‘But we have been here so long we have established a good relationship with them.’
Staff inside brought out hot drinks for the camp the morning Metro went to visit, and have helped with outreach for those sleeping outside.
And it’s not just store workers doing their bit. Swathes of people – from litter pickers to those who do the morning shifts at the Costa Coffee across the road – have developed a friendly relationship with the rough sleepers.
Tony said: ‘It is so important for your mental health, having that regular contact. You feel safer as well, sleeping in a big group with others looking out for you.’
Heal’s told Metro: ‘We understand that it is a complex and sensitive issue, and we approach it with care and compassion.
‘The introduction of planters is not intended to ignore this challenge, but to balance the needs of our Heal’s customers, the tenants at the Heal’s Building and the wider community.’
Hostile greenery is everywhere if you look
A quick walk around the Tottenham Court Road area reveals many former ‘camps’ which have been replaced by innocuous objects.
On the other side of the road, a random collection of deep black plant pots sits in the shade, covering an area which also used to be a tent spot.
Outside University College Hospital, a set of bike racks sits where a row of tents was removed and crushed in a rubbish can in 2023.
Bizarrely, the bike racks are boarded away behind metal barriers and have been for some time, according to locals.
Around the corner near an ambulance bay, a long row of shelters for large dustbins has been erected.
So while the bins stay warm and dry, the tents, which used to be in their place, had to be placed elsewhere.
A UCLH spokesperson said: ‘As part of our commitment to sustainability, we actively encourage staff and patients to make less carbon-emitting journeys.
‘The addition of bicycle racks around our estate is just one of several initiatives to make this possible. We hope to complete this work and remove the fencing in the near future.
‘We are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of rough sleepers, and we provide a number of services for this population.
‘We also acknowledge the challenges of balancing the welfare of people sleeping rough around our sites while looking after the interests of our patients and staff.’
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