'Locals are being pushed out': Airbnbs cause controversy in Whitstable

There are over 600 Airbnbs across the costal town.

Houses on the sea front in Whitstable
Author: Josh BaileyPublished 19th Sep 2024

A pub landlord in Whitstable says Airbnbs are leaving local people with nowhere to live.

Across the costal town, research by Greatest Hits Radio found 650 houses available on Airbnb - compared to just 16 rental properties listed on Right Move.

Roland Birks is the owner of the Ship Centurion. He told us his friend has been left homeless after their house was converted into an Airbnb.

He said: "There is not enough rental properties anymore in town for people to live there all year round. Airbnbs bring people to Whitstable for two or three months of the year but then they are empty most of the time.

"My friend's landlord is chucking him out to turn it into an Airbnb and he is now struggling to find somewhere to live. As a result, he's had to go back to live with his mum as 45 year old because there is no where to live in Whitstable.

"And if there is, the price is over £1000 to rent, which he can't afford leaving in a small town like ours.

"We are losing the community and without it this pub will not exists, it can't live on three or four months of summer time because for the rest of the year we won't be making money."

It's an issue that divides Whitstable, with those such as Roland wanting more control on the number of Airbnb's in the area, while others recognise and welcome the money it brings as it's helping the local economy with its tourism.

In response Canterbury City Council said: ""This is an interesting issue and we will shortly be starting a piece of work looking at the benefits and disadvantages of short term rentals on the local and tourist economies of the district."

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