After many meetings and planning, in August 2005, a number of concerned individuals decided to squat a derelict house/block of flats. The Victorian building in the Arboretum/Radford area had been empty for the previous seven years and was in a great state of dis-repair. It had also become a crack den and haunt for prostitution. The new residents set about tidying the place up and had soon convinced the local community to abandon their initial apprehension.

The council were initially less than impressed and gave the squatters notice to quit within a week. The fact that the building had been empty for so long didn't interest them. This view was one which the positive contribution of those living in the building was able to overturn and the council went on to list the Asbo on its website along with other community centres in the city. At one point the chief executive of the council at the time even dropped in for a cup of tea and a custard cream.

Over the years the Asbo has played host to a number of parties and events, showcasing local artists and bringing a community of people together in a free space. There was Squatstock (1|2), a Winter Solstice party and events around Mayday (1|2) last year. Sadly, during the course of 2007, there were insufficient people and resources to keep the community centre going and the free food, bike workshops, etc. ground to a halt.

Late last year, a number of people concerned about the way the Asbo had deteriorated attempted to move into a disused part of the building. Unfortunately, relations with those already resident did not go well and, following threats of violence, the newcomers decided to leave.

Since then the remaining occupants have been implicated in a series of attacks on the Sankofa Foundation, a project providing psychotherapy and other support for asylum seekers, which is located in a separate part of the building. Now that the Asbo looks likely to be evicted, the occupants appear to be stripping the building of anything of value before leaving.

The Asbo: A History in Pictures (by Tash)

• New Squatting Project in Nottingham
• Council serve eviction notice
• Nottingham Squatting Project, The Tidy-Up :: The pictures
• ASBO welcomed by community!
• Spray Art at the ASBO - Pictures
• ASBO Squat : New Deal for Community [NDC] Magazine Item
• Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council drops by at the ASBO
• SquatStock ASBO Squat Party: Piccys 1
• SquatStock ASBO Squat Party: Piccys 2
• A Squatting 'Slide Show' [to a show tune :-)]
• Squatting and the Sept 2nd raid on Nottingham City Homes offices
• ASBO Squat 360 Panorama
• Winter Solstice 'Do' @ the ASBO Squat
• Mayday Events at the ASBO Centre 1, Nottingham Day Events
• Mayday Events at the ASBO Centre 2, Nottingham Night Events