Long Eaton asylum seeker hotel to close as refuge centre this summer

One of the two hotels used to house asylum seekers in Long Eaton[1] is set to close as a refuge centre. The Novotel, on Bostocks Lane[2], was rented out to the Government in late 2022. But, after a year-and-a-half of protestations from some locals and support from others, the Home Office has agreed to terminate its contract with the French hotel brand, signalling the end of an era this summer. The remaining asylum seekers staying there will vacate by July 2024.[3]

Erewash MP[4] Maggie Throup said: "I am delighted to tell Erewash residents that the Novotel Asylum Accommodation Centre on Bostocks Lane will close from July 2024. I know this announcement will be well received by many across Erewash." The Home Office originally took over the Novotel in October 2022.

Reactions from the public were mixed, with some welcoming the move but others expressing frustration. Not long after it had opened for use, a parish council meeting was held in Sandiacre, where some attendees said they felt scared amid the large numbers of single men who had arrived in the town. Nottinghamshire Live and Derbyshire Live spoke to the asylum seekers at the time, who reassured the public that they meant no harm.

But it didn't stop the pressure for the Home Office to perform U-turn on the move. Mrs Throup says she lobbied for the closure of the hotels persistently in the House of Commons. In October last year, it was said the hotels would be closed for use for asylum seekers "very soon" but a month ago,[5] the commitment had still not been carried out.

Now, a date has been set. Ms Throup said: "When chatting to Erewash residents I know many are concerned about illegal migration and specifically the Asylum Accommodation Centres on Bostocks Lane. For over a year I have led a campaign to close these centres and have raised Erewash's case directly with the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister.

"This is only a partial victory, and my attention will now turn to lobbying Government Ministers to close the Best Western Asylum Accommodation Centre.

The use of hotels such as those in Erewash, which are in effect on a motorway junction, are not appropriate for those seeking asylum."

The closure of the Novotel as an asylum hotel has no bearing on the Best Western hotel's use as an asylum seeker hotel, on the other side of the street.

References

1. ^ Long Eaton (www.nottinghampost.com)
2. ^ The Novotel, on Bostocks Lane (www.nottinghampost.com)
3. ^ vacate by July 2024. (www.nottinghampost.com)
4. ^ Erewash MP (www.nottinghampost.com)
5. ^ "very soon" but a month ago, (www.nottinghampost.com)