Not only was justice done and the seats reinstalled, but we became a community that pulled together for their rights and are now much closer, thanks to this campaign.
The Campaign
A Place to Sit was a friendly and determined campaign to encourage the new owners of Bramley Shopping Centre in Leeds to reinstate community seating after they removed it, saying it was an ‘obstruction’
More than a thousand people, most of them local, joined the group and staged weekly hour-long protests at the shopping centre. These protests created widespread interest and support from other local people, shop keepers, churches and schools, along with the support of local councillors and even the media.
Campaigners urged supporters to bring their own chairs and benches to sit where the original benches used to be.
Bramley residents bring their own chairs and benches to the shopping centre to protest about the original seating being removed. Photo credit: Philip McConnell
Everyone has been amazing; from shoppers who signed the petition, the community who joined our sit-in, to Leeds City Council and the local councillors, and the media who publicised our campaign, we couldn’t have done it without them! It’s absolutely brilliant! We showed what a community pulling together can do and being shortlisted for this national award has left me gobsmacked. We got recognition!”
Bramley residents bring their own chairs and benches to the shopping centre to protest about the original seating being removed. Photo credit: Philip McConnell
Everyone has been amazing; from shoppers who signed the petition, the community who joined our sit-in, to Leeds City Council and the local councillors, and the media who publicised our campaign, we couldn’t have done it without them! It’s absolutely brilliant! We showed what a community pulling together can do and being shortlisted for this national award has left me gobsmacked. We got recognition!”
The Change
The tenacity and resolve of the campaign group and local residents of Bramley, with the full support and participation of the three Bramley councillors and the delivery of a 1700 signature petition to Leeds City Council, led to benches being reinstated in their former locations.
Not only was the campaign a success in getting the benches returned, but the community came together to campaign for their rights. Justice was done.
The campaign group were delighted that the owners of the shopping centre had reconsidered their decision to remove the benches.
Now the shopping centre has places to sit for residents where they can take a rest, chat to other shoppers and use their local amenities. The benches also ensure that elderly and more vulnerable people who are less mobile are able to use the centre again. Local residents regard the shopping centre as the vibrant and welcoming place it always was before the benches were removed.
The Future
The campaign unleashed a powerful community spirit which showed the true nature of a community able to work together and stand firm in their belief that they can make changes that are right for themselves and their neighbours.
The campaigners host a weekly social at a local church hall and enjoy a busy community Facebook page. For many it has helped to address the isolation and loneliness that some people felt during lockdowns. They also feel ‘ready-made’ to tackle any other injustices facing their community, or offer any help needed too.
Who else was involved?
The wonderful residents of Bramley and the local councillors:
Cllr Kevin Ritchie
Cllr. Jools Heselwood
Councillor Gruen
Also Rachel Reeves MP, Leeds City Council, Collette Milligan Roland Cross, Jo Herbert, Fran Graham, Val Hewison