Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has given his permission for 30 homeless people to stay in a building he owns with ex-teammate Ryan Giggs.
The former Stock Exchange building in Manchester has been bought by the pair with the intention to turn it into a luxury hotel, but for now, it will serve as a place for the group to stay until February when building work commences.
According to the BBC, Wesley Hall, one of the squatters, spoke to Neville directly on the phone and was relieved when the former England right back gave his blessing for the 30-strong group to stay there over winter.
“He spoke to me he said, ‘Look, I’ve not got a problem with you staying here, look after the building and respect the actual building,” Hall said.
“These people aren’t getting a nourishing meal, their immune systems are low and they are dying.
“All it needs is someone to put a roof over their head and give them a bit of support.”
Neville and Giggs’ plans for the former Stock Exchange were approved earlier this year, with architects AEW stating around 35 bedrooms are set to be built, as well as a spa, a gym, a roof terrace and a ground floor restaurant.
The property reportedly cost the pair £1.5 million.
