SQUATTERS who occupied a disused jobcentre in Deptford and turned it into a Social Centre Plus are inviting people to an open day this afternoon.

The Jobcentre Plus building, in Deptford High Street, was closed down in November last year.

Around 50 people took over the centre on Saturday (March 12) and have since turned it into a Social Centre Plus.

The occupier’s website states they have taken it over “as a response to the brutal cuts to public services being carried out at both local and national level.”

It adds: “We have taken the space in order to also demonstrate our resistance to the cuts Mayor Steve Bullock and his Labour cronies, under the orders of the Tories in Westminster, are promising us.”

Around 30 people have remained in the building and will be opening it up today (March 16) to the community from noon to 2pm.

News Shopper: Jason Cortez Squatter Jason Cortez, who has been helping to paint the property before the opening, said: “People from the local neighbourhood can come in and find out what we are about.

“I would encourage everyone to come in. We are a very friendly bunch. We come from all different backgrounds.

“A lot of people stereotype spaces like this. We have teachers, plumbers and people who work in the city. It’s a real diversity.”

He added: “We are trying to open up a non commercial space for people to use. We want to get people in with their own ideas to see what they want to happen.”

The occupiers say they will stay as long as they can and hope to run an occasional cafe, bike workshop and film nights.

News Shopper: Squatters take over disused Deptford Jobcentre Mr Cortez, from Deptford, said: “We think it’s extremely important to send a clear message. We need to occupy spaces, we need to come together and organise collectively to stop these cuts and to say ‘we are not having this’.

“We say to Steve Bullock ‘if you represent this community of Lewisham then you wont impose these cuts. Its no good blaming everyone else’.

“He has to stand up and stand with us of get out the way.”

He added: “I’m hoping this will inspire people up and down the country to take the opportunity to occupy spaces together.

“I hope little villages do the same. It is possible to come together and do this. It takes hard work and determination. We can win we just have to be bold.”

People are also invited to visit the centre from 6pm to 7pm tonight (March 16) for “a cuppa and a chat” before a selection of short films are shown from 7pm.

The occupiers are appealing for donations of kitchen equipment, furniture, money and people’s time.

To make a donation, email socialcentreplus@gmail.com