‘Our booking was cancelled - but we don’t mind a jot’

A woman says she “doesn’t mind a jot” that her stay at Abbots Barton has been cancelled to make way for Afghan refugees.

The 77-bedroom hotel operates under the Best Western brand but is independently owned and run.

Best Western says functions are not affected by the refugee project, but guests who had booked overnight stays have had their bookings cancelled and refunded.

One guest named Jane who had been due to stay this week says her booking was cancelled.

But the woman, who did not wish to give her surname, says she does not mind, adding: “Finding another hotel is a darn sight easier than escaping another country.”

Jane, from near Guildford in Surrey, had been due to stay at Abbots Barton from Monday to Friday along with three other people.

“We were rung and told the hotel had been requisitioned,” she said.

“We were given a phone call very courteously explaining the situation.

“Of course it’s a pain, and we had to find somewhere else, which is more expensive – but c’est la vie!”

Jane says her party booked to stay at a Holiday Inn instead.

“We really weren’t bothered by it. None of us mind a jot,” she said.

“We’ve had a full refund and we have no problem with it.” Others were less happy. One woman whose family had been due to stay at the hotel this weekend for a 60th birthday celebration said: “It’s not easy finding another hotel.

“We can not find another hotel for love or money due to it being bank holiday and the Whitstable Oyster Festival. So plans have been ruined. Not happy.”

Afghans leaving for the UK