‘IT’S DISAPPOINTING AND FRUSTRATING’
Asylum seekers will move into 2nd hotel
FURIOUS council leaders hit out last night after the Home Office turned one of Stoke-on-trent’s best-known hotels into an asylum seeker hostel.
The Sentinel revealed on Thursday that guests could no longer book rooms at the Best Western Stoke-on-trent City Centre Hotel, in Hanley.
Now the Home Office has confirmed the deal following discussions with Stoke-on-trent City Council and city MPS.
It comes as the North Stafford Hotel, opposite Stoke Station, has already been converted into an asylum seeker hostel.
Both Best Western and the hotel have so far declined to speak to
The Sentinel regarding the decision. It is not known what the decision means for the existing staff or long-term bookings with the venue.
In a statement last night, Stokeon-trent City Council leader Abi Brown said: “We have received notification that the Home Office intends to use the Best Western Stoke-on-trent City Centre Hotel, in Hanley, in its entirety to house asylum seekers. We strongly object to this decision.
“It comes after the North Stafford Hotel – less than three miles away – was stood up by the Home Office for asylum dispersal last month.
“This is another decision taken by the Home Office directly with a hotel provider in our city.
“It is deeply disappointing and frustrating. It will bring many more asylum seekers into Stokeon-trent, despite our city already having done more than its share in supporting asylum dispersal over the past three decades.
“The decision pays little regard to the impact on services, on communities, and on our ability to support vulnerable people in need. This hotel is also at a prominent gateway into the city centre.
“However, as we have done for the past 30 years, we will continue to support those who seek asylum while in Stoke-on-trent, fulfilling our duties to them alongside local partners.”