Manchester squatters have struck again: this time taking occupation of the Japanese-owned and long-empty former Barclays Bank at the corner of Piccadilly and Chatham Street.

A Palestinian flag and a banner demanding help for inmates of the Yarls Wood detention centre are now hanging from the top floor of the four-storey block immediately opposite the ABode Manchester hotel on one of Manchester's gateway sites.

Land Registry entries show that the part-cleared site at 12-16 Piccadilly and 4-8 Gore St. was bought in 2014 by Japan-registered Toyoko Inn Co. Ltd., who paid £2.2M plus £440K VAT. They operate no-frills business hotels in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the U.S.

The latest move follows a rash of squatting incidents in Manchester city centre, mostly in empty buildings awaiting redevelopment.

In January squatters were removed from the offices at Diocesan Chambers, South King Street. The office was above a parade of shops, including Kiehl’s and Cath Kidston.

In August police removed squatters who had occupied part of the former Cornerhouse cinema, Oxford Road, for several months. The site, in the ownership of Network Rail and the city council, has been planned for redevelopment since 2012 with the name of Manchester-based Bruntwood sometimes associated with the plan.

A former Pizza Express restaurant, part of the island site at John Dalton Street, was occupied in December 2016. Henry Boot has been chosen as preferred developer by landlord Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund, and a 90K SF office scheme is planned.