Restaurants, boxing clubs and booming businesses… we go inside Calais’ sprawling migrant city
The Sun on Sunday visits the infamous camp as its population is set to reach 10,000
LAKESIDE dining, gym sessions and massages are usually associated with luxury spas rather than refugee camps.
But the Jungle in Calais — housing some of the world’s most destitute migrants — is anything but a typical shelter.
In the past year it has transformed into a city within a city, complete with its own shops, cafes – even nightclubs.
It is now so full of life and economic activity that it makes the average British high street look a little bleak.
The Sun on Sunday visited the infamous camp as aid groups warned that its population is set to reach 10,000 for the first time.
Despite the French government’s efforts to close down the Jungle, many still queue in a bid to sneak in to the UK.
When I visited two years ago, the illegal settlement close to the Calais ferry port was little more than a bunch of tents and open fires on rubbish-strewn wasteland.
But now it is a sophisticated hub that makes the British Army’s Camp Bastion in Afghanistan look small.
While there are bigger official refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey, this unauthorised sprawl filled with migrants from Africa and the Middle East is thought to be the largest of its kind in Europe.
Most of the time it is safe, but things can turn nasty — I saw a man stabbed in the stomach the other day
With so many people waiting to hide inside the next truck that can take them to the promised land of Britain, criminal gangs and business entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to make money.Ali Shan, 25, is the owner of the Three Idiots restaurant on a road known as Afghanistan Street. He spent £5,000 of his own money setting it up.
But by serving £2 curries to up to 100 customers a day, he has made more than enough to justify his investment.
Ali, from Pakistan, said: “It was a risk, but it has definitely been worth it. I could see there were lots of people here who wanted to buy good food so I spent my savings to buy everything we needed.
“The Jungle has changed so much since I got here — it just keeps growing. Life is better than it used to be and I think even more people will arrive in the years to come.”
One of Ali’s main rivals is the Sami restaurant just down the road.
It has the advantage of impressive lakeside views and customers can dine alfresco as they enjoy the summer weather.
For around £3.50, I got a feast of chicken, salad and chips served with naan bread by Ahmed, a white-uniformed waiter.
The 25-year-old, from Afghanistan, said business had been good until a recent crackdown by French police.
In broken English he said: “We spend 120 to 140 euros (£100 to £120) on food each week that we buy from Lidl. Our dishes all cost two euros so we have to sell a lot to make any money.
I am tired of trying to get to London so I think I'll stay here
“This is a nice restaurant but the police hassle us as we do not have a licence to serve food.”
Barber Jan Mohammed, 21, is working nearby. He told us he does not charge for the haircuts or head massages his people give.
He said it was something to “keep me busy” while he waited to get to London.
But he added: “Now I am tired of trying so I think I will stay here.”
Jan Mohammed started a barbershop in the camp to keep him busy while he waited to get to London
Arsala Khan, 27, the trainer at the Calais Jungle Boxing Club, has also decided to stay in France.
He said: “It’s always busy here. People want to stay in shape and have something to do.”
French cops were making their presence felt when we visited the Jungle last week.
They marched in large numbers down roads with names such as David Cameron Street.
But the many businesses selling everything from clothes to cigarettes were still doing brisk trade.
The ever-expanding Jungle has become an eyesore that infuriates native Calais residents and embarrasses French authorities.
The charity Help Refugees claims there are more than 9,000 migrants there, with the number set to top 10,000 within days.
But as the population booms, knife attacks, robberies and sexual assaults are a constant danger. Drinking and drug taking is endemic and at night a Wild West atmosphere takes hold.
Meanwhile, there are rumours of Muslim extremists holding meetings in darkened rooms. And there is great concern for the estimated 700 children who live alone in the rat-infested camp without any parents.
The camp has suffered E.coli outbreaks, and wildfires and disease are a constant risk.
Despite the police presence, charities trying to improve conditions, schools offering English lessons and regular organised events, walking around is unsettling.
Around 1,500 migrants sleep in shipping containers placed here by the government.
But the rest live in densely packed tents, caravans and shacks — some of them sporting fridges and satellite TVs.
Many folk are friendly. But there is a definite edge in the air as people question your intentions and warn you not to take any pictures.We encountered deep suspicion that we were working for the police.
RELATED STORIES
Many of the estimated 72 business owners in the camp refused to talk, accusing us of being “spies”.
And a British volunteer told us: “Most of the time it is safe, but things can turn nasty — I saw a man stabbed in the stomach the other day.
“There is a spot in the centre of town where people meet if they have disagreements to sort out.
“There is money to be made selling drugs and criminal gangs are eager to cash in.”