Travellers move onto Dunelm customer car park and refuse to move just week after separate stand-offs at Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Virgin
It is the latest in a number of invasions on shops' private land in the past week
A GROUP of travellers have set up camp outside a Dunelm branch in West Yorkshire.
More than a dozen caravans have moved onto the car park in front of a large UK furnishings retailer on Spence Lane in Leeds - just a week after separate stand-offs at Sainsbury's, Virgin and Tesco.
It is thought that the caravans had moved onto the site after the store closed yesterday or early this morning.
The travellers are currently blocking spaces for customers in the car park, which is believed to be private land.
Cars have been seen entering the site and customers appear to still be entering the store, despite the presence of the travellers.
A Dunelm spokesman said: "Colleagues at the Leeds Dunelm store arrived this morning to find a number of caravans parked on the store car park.
"We have been in contact with the police who are currently handling the situation. The store is trading as normal and there will be no disruption to services.
"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this cause."
A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “Leeds City Council officers have attended the Traveller encampment at the Dunelm Mill outlet in Holbeck.
"This is a privately-owned site and the landowners are aware and taking necessary steps to evict the group.”
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It follows the invasion of more than a dozen travellers who have set up camp in the grounds of a posh Virgin Active health club.
Around six caravans pitched up on private land owned by Richard Branson in Blythe Park, Shirley, near Solihull, West Midlands, on Sunday afternoon.
Just 24 hours before moving over to the upmarket gym and spa, they set up their caravans near a 24-hour Tesco.
The invasion comes after locals claimed they felt intimidated by the travellers as they tried to go about their weekend shopping at the supermarket giant.
Speaking on the influx, local councillor Ken Hawkins for Blythe Ward, Solihull, said: "Several (residents) told me that they avoided going shopping on Saturday due to the travellers.
"I believe the petrol station at the supermarket was closed for this reason.
"It is frustrating as a councillor that they are able to trespass on land in this way.
"My fear is that next time they may use force to gain entry to our parks, and cause damage.
"It's another incursion from travellers, and in the last couple of years we have seen a number of incidents, particularly in our park.
"There are some travellers that are good and who clear up and some that are nasty.
"Unfortunately, the vast majority of our experience of travellers has seen little respect for our community.
"As it on private land this time the law limits us.
“But council officers and police are working with the land owners to guide them through the process of getting them removed."
A female member of staff working at Virgin Active said: "The gypsies moved onto the car park but the health club is still open.
"So far none of the travellers have tried to use the facilities. We are only open to members.
"The travellers have until Tuesday to leave but whether that happens remains to be seen."
A spokeswoman from Solihull Council added: "The council is aware of the unauthorised encampment at Blythe Valley Business Park.
"Council officers and colleagues from the police will work closely with the land owner to support with this incident wherever possible."
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