Stoke Council deeply disappointed by confirmation of second asylum hotel
Another major hotel has joined the North Stafford in housing asylum seekers
Last updated 26th Nov 2022
Leaders at Stoke-on-Trent City Council tell us they're disappointed at receiving confirmation that the Home Office intends to repurpose The Best Western on Trinity Street in Hanley for housing asylum seekers.
It comes just a matter of weeks after the City Council took the matter of the North Stafford Hotel and its operator Britannia Hotels to the High Court.
The City Council lost its case after seeking to block all rooms being booked up for the same use.
Reacting to the latest announcement about the Best Western City Centre Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown said: “We have received notification that the Home Office intends to use the Best Western Stoke 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 Stoke-on-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 they are in Stoke-on-Trent, fulfilling our duties to them alongside local partners.”
Hear the latest news from across Staffordshire and Cheshire on the hour, every hour, on 102.6FM, 96.9FM & 96.4FM. You can also listen on DAB, smart speaker, at signal1.co.uk and on the Signal 1 app