By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A Mansfield hotel will end its contract to house asylum seekers within weeks.
The hotel has been used by the Home Office contractor Serco since late 2022, despite some local concerns it wasn’t “the right place” for asylum seekers.
The residents currently housed there while their asylum claims are processed will be move to other facilities run by the government.
It is understood all residents will be moved out soon, and the hotel will return to regular use after March.
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley, who previously said the location wasn’t suited to housing asylum seekers, said: “That’s positive news and will ease the burden on local public services.
“I’m sure residents will be pleased that the commitment we’ve heard around this is now being realised and there will no longer be any Asylum Hotel or similar migrant accommodation in Mansfield going forward.”
A Mansfield District Council spokesman said: “Mansfield District Council was informed by the Home Office on January 15 that it will be terminating its contract with a hotel in Mansfield being used to temporarily house asylum seekers.
“It is understood it will cease to being used for these purposes by the end of March 2024.
“Residents currently accommodated in the hotel will be moving to other parts of the government’s asylum estate and it aims to complete all relocations in advance of the final closure date.
“As part of the council’s statutory duties, we will continue to work with the Home Office as a part of a multi-agency response to ensure that those dispersed from their home countries are supported at this time.”
The hotel has been contacted for comment.
An asylum seeker is a person who claims they are fleeing persecution and need refuge.
The Home Office resorted to using hotels as emergency housing due to a backlog in asylum seeker claims, which it says has now reduced.
The government will now be using large-scale former military accommodation like the RAF Scampton base near Lincoln, and the Bibby Stockholm boat, moored off Essex.
