Wooden barrier installed outside vacated BHS store to block homeless people

A huge wooden barrier has been installed outside a former BHS store to prevent homeless people from using it as a shelter.

Workers say it is to stop rough sleepers from gathering in the doorways.

It is understood that Duffy and Phelps, administrators for BHS, employed a firm from Dartford in Kent to travel nearly 200 miles to the city to erect the wall.

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Justin Wilson, 41, and Tia Bamford, 30, are among those who have been sleeping rough in the doorway since the store in Exeter, Devon, closed down in August last year.

Justin and Tia are now said to be camping in a car park instead but many locals are angry at the decision to build the blockade.

Jez Palmer, 20, from Exeter said: “I think it’s unfair now they are going to have to stay out in the wet, if I had enough room at mine I would take them in myself.”

Exeter mum and resident Helen Richards added: “I don’t think they were doing any harm here, I think it’s wrong that BHS is doing this – especially when the building is empty anyway.”

A spokesman for the administrator Duffy and Phelps said: “We have no comment regarding the property.”

Shortly before the barrier was built the rough sleepers were removed from the building, a decision that was reportedly made by the city council, police and an outreach team.

John Isserlis, a director of homeless charity Julian House, said it was not an act of “sweeping them away with a broom” but an opportunity to move to alternative accommodation.

He said: “We haven’t just got a big broom and swept them away, we have offered opportunities to get themselves off the streets and temporary alternative accommodation.”

Signs have also now been placed inside the empty store’s windows, warning people not to camp on the privately owned land.

Top pic: SWNS